Nvidia launches probe after CEO admits affair with suspected Chinese spy

Nvidia has opened an independent inquiry into the personal and professional ties between its chief executive and a woman identified by U.S. officials as a potential Chinese intelligence asset.

Jensen Huang, 63, confirmed on Sunday that he had an affair with Alice Huang, an executive at Megaspeed, a Singapore-based buyer of Nvidia chips. The two are not related. The revelation followed a report that American officials viewed Alice Huang as a Chinese spy.

The timing of the relationship coincides with a period of intense lobbying by Nvidia to secure favorable trade terms with the U.S. government. The two were photographed together at a restaurant in Taipei in late 2025, roughly five months into Donald Trump’s second term.

During this period, Trump met with Jensen Huang at least seven times. Four of those discussions focused on U.S. export controls for advanced artificial intelligence chips. The administration has long relied on Nvidia to maintain its technological edge over China while managing domestic economic interests.

The New York Times reported that Nvidia successfully pressured the Department of Commerce to pause an investigation into Megaspeed. The probe examined whether the Singaporean firm was diverting Nvidia inventory to China in violation of U.S. export restrictions. A Trump appointee facilitated this contact, allowing Nvidia to intervene directly in the case.

Megaspeed stated that it operates in full compliance with all applicable laws, including U.S. export control regulations. The company denied the allegations of diversion. Nvidia’s board said it had no reason to believe that national security or corporate secrets were compromised during the affair.

Jensen Huang admitted there was no excuse for his conduct. The board’s inquiry will examine all available information regarding the relationship and its potential impact on the company’s operations.

The affair occurred against the backdrop of major policy shifts. Under the Biden administration, the Chips Act imposed strict limits on semiconductor exports. Nvidia responded by selling downgraded chips to China, which accounted for roughly 25% of its revenue between 2020 and 2022.

Under the current administration, Trump reversed some of these restrictions. He allowed Nvidia to export previously banned chips to China in exchange for 15% of the sales revenue. Five months later, following another meeting, Trump agreed to permit the export of H200 chips in exchange for 25% of the revenue.

Trump posted on Truth Social that Chinese President Xi responded positively to the deal. The arrangement allowed Beijing to acquire more advanced hardware to develop AI systems that rival those from American competitors.

Jensen Huang met with world leaders from South Korea to Saudi Arabia during this period. He also appeared on stage with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London. His role in shaping global AI policy gave him access to detailed information on national technological ambitions.

The relationship with Alice Huang placed a key figure in U.S. tech policy in close proximity to a suspected foreign intelligence agent. The two were first seen together in mid-2024. Their interactions continued through the critical phase of chip export negotiations in 2025.