Tens of thousands of applications for export licenses, including to China, are blocked because of the BIS agency's malfunctions, hurting businesses.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is facing institutional paralysis, blocking tens of thousands of applications for export licenses due to a lack of clear rules and internal problems. The company Nvidia, for example, is waiting for a license for H20 chips, and the average approval time has risen to 38 days. Criticism targets the leadership style of Undersecretary Jeffrey Kessler, and exporters' discontent is growing as Chinese companies find alternatives. Lack of transparency and understaffing at the agency complicates the situation.