House Democrats Press Trump Administration on AI Chip Exports Amid Nvidia Spy Allegations

Three Democrats on the US House Foreign Affairs Committee have asked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to explain the Trump administration’s decisions to approve exports of advanced AI chips. The demand follows reports that US intelligence officials believed a former executive at a Singapore-based Nvidia customer had gathered information for Beijing and had a personal relationship with Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang.

Representatives Gabe Amo of Rhode Island, Gregory W. Meeks of New York and Sydney Kamlager-Dove of California challenged the Commerce Department’s licensing decisions in a letter reported by The New York Times. “National security must come before corporate sales targets,” they wrote.

Democrats Question Who Got Export Licences

The lawmakers asked about authorisations for shipments of advanced processors overseas. The New York Times reported separately that the Commerce Department had approved licences for shipments of sophisticated AI hardware to entities with links to Beijing, military contractors and blacklisted firms.

The Democrats argued that access to advanced US chips could help China develop AI systems, modernise its military and compete economically. Washington restricts shipments of Nvidia’s most powerful chips to China, a policy Jensen Huang has publicly challenged.

Congress Seeks Answers on Nvidia’s Safeguards

According to The New York Times, people briefed on intelligence matters said Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed, acted on behalf of China’s Ministry of State Security. They alleged she was tasked with gathering information on Nvidia’s advanced AI technology and helping Beijing acquire it. Megaspeed bought Nvidia hardware and built data centres across Southeast Asia that served mainland Chinese companies, including Alibaba.

Lawmakers from both parties planned to raise the allegations with senior US intelligence officials at a briefing scheduled to focus on Iran, the newspaper reported. Separately, Republican chairs of three House panels requested a closed-door briefing from Jensen Huang on his contacts with Alice Huang and Nvidia’s safeguards against espionage.

Nvidia’s board has opened an independent inquiry. Jensen Huang acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife and said he would continue leading the company while the review proceeds.

With inputs from ANI