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Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang faces scrutiny from US congressional investigators over allegations that he was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operative.
Three senior Republican congressmen have demanded a closed-door briefing to establish whether sensitive American technology or information was compromised.
Their intervention follows Nvidia’s decision to launch an independent investigation into Huang’s relationship with a Chinese businesswoman suspected by US intelligence of gathering information for Beijing.
Brian Mast, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, John Moolenaar, chairman of the Select Committee on China, and Rick Crawford, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, have requested a briefing on November 18.
In a letter to Huang, the congressmen warned that the allegations raised “significant national security concerns regarding the PRC’s access to sensitive US technology and information”.
They added: “It is vital that Congress determines the extent to which US national security has been placed at risk.”
The inquiry could bring renewed scrutiny to President Donald Trump’s decision to ease restrictions on exports of advanced Nvidia chips to China, a policy Huang has personally lobbied for.
At the centre of the allegations is Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, a Chinese businesswoman and former executive at Singapore-based cloud computing company Megaspeed International.
According to The New York Times, US intelligence officials believed Alice Huang was gathering information for Beijing while having an affair with Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang.
Huang has admitted the affair but has not been accused of knowingly assisting Chinese intelligence.
The newspaper reported that American intelligence officials believe Alice Huang had been recruited by China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), the country’s principal civilian intelligence agency.
The allegations have prompted questions as to whether Huang was the target of a so-called honey trap, an intelligence technique in which romantic or intimate relationships are used to obtain confidential information, cultivate influence or create opportunities for blackmail.
Chinese intelligence services have often been accused of using personal relationships to recruit foreign officials and obtain sensitive information. Such operations can be particularly valuable when the target has access to government decisionmakers or commercially sensitive technology.
Investigators have not publicly established whether Alice Huang deliberately cultivated the relationship for intelligence purposes, whether any confidential information was obtained or whether Jensen Huang knew of any alleged intelligence activities.
The suspected connection is particularly sensitive because of Megaspeed’s business with Nvidia.
The Singapore-based company purchases advanced Nvidia processors and provides computing infrastructure to customers. According to The New York Times, Megaspeed bought more than $4.8 billion worth of Nvidia chips over two years.
US authorities have also investigated whether Megaspeed helped Chinese customers obtain advanced Nvidia chips in breach of American export restrictions.
Washington has restricted exports of the chips over fears they could be used by the Chinese military to develop advanced weapons and intelligence capabilities.
Megaspeed has denied violating US export controls and said it was cooperating with authorities.
Nvidia’s board announced that a committee of independent directors, supported by outside legal counsel, would investigate reports that Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.
The board said: “While the Board has no reason to believe that either national security or NVIDIA secrets were compromised, the Board’s inquiry will examine all available information.”
It added that it had confidence in Huang and his leadership team.
Huang apologised to employees in a letter acknowledging the affair, although he did not identify Alice Huang by name.
He said: “My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry.”
Addressing the national security concerns, Huang said: “I support the investigation and will cooperate fully. I love our country and our company. I am committed to protecting NVIDIA and supporting America’s national security.”
Huang has been a prominent advocate for allowing American technology companies to continue selling advanced semiconductors to Chinese customers, arguing that restrictions risk strengthening domestic Chinese competitors.
His lobbying helped secure Trump’s approval for exports of Nvidia’s H200 processors, which remain powerful AI chips despite being less advanced than the company’s latest products.
The New York Times reported that Trump had been briefed on intelligence concerns surrounding Huang’s relationship with Alice Huang but did not intervene.
Asked on Sunday about the allegations, Trump defended the Nvidia chief.
Trump said: “I have not spoken to him about it. I just know he’s a fine person, but you never know what is going on.”
He added: “I hope everything’s fine.”
Asked whether he should have acted after receiving the intelligence briefing, Trump said: “No, I don’t think so. I think he’s an honourable guy. I think he probably has an excuse for it. You have to hear it.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to discuss the allegations when questioned by reporters.
Beijing’s Foreign Ministry rejected the allegations on Monday.
Spokesman Guo Jiakun said: “The so-called Chinese spy allegation is unsubstantiated. It is nothing but smears against China.”
George Chen, a partner and chairman of digital practice at Washington-based consultancy The Asia Group, said investigators needed to establish whether espionage had taken place and whether strategically sensitive information had been exposed.
Chen said: “The key questions are whether he was aware of any espionage activities and whether any confidential or strategically sensitive information was compromised.”
He added: “Those questions require evidence rather than speculation.”
The controversy could also affect Huang’s future at Nvidia, which he co-founded in 1993 and has led for more than three decades.
Dan Ives, a technology analyst at Yorkville Ives & Co., warned that the allegations could prompt greater scrutiny of the company’s dealings with China.
Ives said: “This is a black eye moment for Jensen and will spark multiple congressional inquiries at a minimum and will create an overhang on the stock.”
Congressional investigators have asked Huang to confirm the proposed November 18 briefing, or suggest an alternative date, by November 11.
Their inquiry will examine Nvidia’s security procedures against foreign espionage, while the company’s independent investigation will seek to establish whether any sensitive information was compromised.
The findings could influence future congressional efforts to tighten controls on advanced semiconductor exports, particularly if evidence emerges that Chinese intelligence operatives obtained information relevant to American technology policy.
