Trump admin lifts export controls on Anthropic's most powerful AI models

The Trump administration has lifted export controls on Anthropic's two most powerful AI models — Fable 5 and Mythos 5 — after the company reached a deal with the Commerce Department. In a letter viewed by WIRED, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick informed Anthropic cofounder Tom Brown that "a license is no longer required for the export, reexport, or in-country transfer, including deemed export or deemed reexport, of the Mythos or Fable models." The restrictions had previously limited release to select companies and government agencies. Under the agreement, Anthropic has committed to "proactively detect and address security risks associated with the models; to work diligently with the U.S. government on protocols and standards and releases for Mythos, Fable, and future models." Lutnick has been leading the administration's effort alongside national cyber director Sean Cairncross.

The resolution comes after Anthropic initially argued that the government's security concerns were "overblown" and that it was impossible to guarantee zero jailbreaks unlocking restricted capabilities, particularly in cybersecurity. In recent weeks, Anthropic changed its approach to get Fable back online, shifting communication strategy as CEO Dario Amodei was reportedly replaced in meetings by Brown, whom officials preferred personally. The company assured the administration it would build more robust safeguards, effectively telling officials what they wanted to hear rather than debating the theoretical impossibility of stopping all jailbreaks. This pivot allowed the export restrictions to be lifted and marks a significant shift in AI governance, balancing global availability with security commitments.