Trump's AI exports program stumbles out of the gate

Behind the scenes: Some industry and lobbying sources told Axios that they're concerned with the lack of clarity and communication from the Trump administration around the AI exports program.

• The rollout has been "extremely underwhelming," said one industry source, who requested anonymity in order to speak freely, adding that "the joke is on industry for expecting a predictable or anything less than a chaotic rollout from Commerce."
• Joseph Hoefer, principal and AI policy lead at Monument Advocacy, which represents tech firms, said the administration is leaving too much to industry to figure out, putting the onus on companies to make sense of the program, build partnerships and carry it out.
• "Firms want to engage and help shape it, but they need more clarity ... the appetite is there, the framework just needs to catch up to the ambition," Hoefer said.
• Industry was expecting more information about the program's launch this week, but what they got was a request for information with a series of questions, like what additional details they want to know about the AI tech stack mentioned in Trump's executive order.

Officials from the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration told Axios they heard from companies that they wanted an RFI — which was sent in a press release alongside a link to a new website Tuesday night but hasn't been formally posted — as opposed to a request for proposals to apply for the program.

• The unofficial RFI asks industry to weigh in on the executive order and what the government should ultimately issue as guidance to companies.
• ITA officials said the complexity of the industries involved means it's important to carefully stand up this program with plenty of industry input.

• "We're engaged and listening with U.S. industry to best position our export programs to match the right foreign buyers with full-stack American AI export packages," an ITA spokesperson wrote in an email.

The big picture: Industry sources said the export program rollout fits into a larger pattern of the Trump administration rolling out policies before figuring out the details, like the H-1B visa proclamation.

• Implementing policy also becomes more difficult amid a government shutdown where thousands of employees have been furloughed or fired, following DOGE's slashing of government agencies.
• ITA officials said they're committed to overcoming any challenges related to the shutdown, and put the onus on Democrats to end it.
• In response to criticism of the process, the officials said they welcome all types of input from outside parties.

What's next: The unofficial RFI says industry has 30 days after publication in the Federal Register to submit comments.

• As of this story's publication, it hasn't been posted.
• But the White House has created a website for people to provide input on questions such as, "How can this program best support your AI products or services exports?"