|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
US lawmakers have summoned former Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to testify about national security concerns linked to allegations involving a suspected Chinese intelligence operative and the technology company’s business dealings.
Senator Tim Scott, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, requested that Huang and Lutnick appear at a public hearing on December 3, 2026. He warned that the committee could issue subpoenas if they fail to cooperate.
The congressional action follows Huang’s resignation as Nvidia chief executive on November 12, amid growing scrutiny of his reported relationships with Alice Huang, a former executive of Singapore-based technology company Megaspeed. US authorities suspect Alice Huang of working for Chinese intelligence, although the allegations have not been established in court.
Three Republican-led House committees have also requested Huang’s appearance for a closed-door interview on December 1. The committees are the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the House Select Committee on China and the House Intelligence Committee. Their chairmen, Brian Mast, John Moolenaar and Rick Crawford, said they wanted explanations about Nvidia’s security procedures and Huang’s reported interactions with the suspected Chinese intelligence operative.
The lawmakers have also requested testimony from Nvidia General Counsel Tim Teter on December 2 and Commerce Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler on December 3. They warned that they could use their subpoena powers if the requested witnesses refuse to appear.
The controversy extends beyond Huang’s personal relationships to concerns about the possible diversion of advanced American artificial intelligence chips to China. Megaspeed, a Singapore-based data centre company, reportedly purchased billions of dollars’ worth of Nvidia chips. US authorities are investigating allegations that the company helped move restricted chips into China, a claim Megaspeed has denied.
US lawmakers want to establish whether Nvidia’s technology or sensitive information was exposed to foreign intelligence interests and whether government agencies adequately enforced export restrictions.
The Senate Banking Committee has also raised questions about the Commerce Department’s handling of export controls. Lutnick is facing scrutiny over whether officials acted appropriately on concerns surrounding Megaspeed and its access to advanced chips.
Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren and Chris Coons separately asked the Trump administration to preserve records and communications relating to Nvidia’s chip exports, Megaspeed and the reported intelligence operation. They also requested a congressional briefing on the potential national security implications.
President Donald Trump has previously said the FBI was investigating the allegations. He also stated that Huang told him he did not know the woman was suspected of being a spy. Trump has publicly defended the former Nvidia chief.
China has rejected allegations of espionage, while the wider controversy has intensified scrutiny of US technology exports and Washington’s efforts to restrict Beijing’s access to advanced artificial intelligence chips.
The upcoming congressional hearings are expected to examine both the alleged intelligence risks and the government’s oversight of Nvidia’s business activities involving China.