Nvidia chief’s alleged affair raises US export‑control concerns

Allegations that Nvidia founder Jensen Huang had an affair with former Megaspeed executive Alice Huang have sparked scrutiny of US export‑control policy towards China.

Huang, who has met former President Donald Trump repeatedly and travelled with him on Air Force One to China, has been a vocal critic of Washington’s restrictions on advanced AI chips. The US has barred the export of Nvidia’s most sophisticated processors since 2022, fearing they could aid Beijing’s military, but Huang argued the bans hurt US business and push China to develop its own alternatives.

US intelligence agencies suspect Alice Huang of links to Chinese intelligence, a claim denied by Beijing. Nvidia’s board says it sees no evidence of compromised secrets, while the company’s general counsel reportedly intervened with the Commerce Department’s probe into Megaspeed’s alleged chip diversion.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick received a classified memo on the matter but resisted blacklisting Megaspeed, a decision questioned by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other senior officials. The investigation was later transferred to the Justice Department, highlighting internal disagreement over Trump’s China policy.

Megaspeed CEO Tan Yong Pong (James Tan) affirmed the firm’s commitment to US export‑control compliance and cooperation with authorities.

Source: BBC News. Photo: Andy Lee / Pexels.