Jensen Huang expected to testify before Congress

Jensen Huang’s resignation as Nvidia chief executive, following reports of an affair with Alice Huang, a businesswoman and former Megaspeed executive suspected by US authorities of spying for China, has intensified Washington’s debate over chip exports. The allegations have revived concerns that advanced Nvidia processors could reach China despite US controls, and lawmakers from both parties are pressing for tighter restrictions. House Speaker Mike Johnson says support is growing, while Republicans are considering adding new limits to the annual defense authorization bill. The dispute reflects the strategic importance of Nvidia’s chips to the competition between the United States and China to develop advanced artificial intelligence.

Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick has agreed to testify voluntarily before the Senate Banking Committee about the administration’s handling of Nvidia and its national-security role in approving chip sales; the committee chair has also requested Huang’s testimony. Malaysia is investigating a Megaspeed subsidiary over whether chips imported into the country were re-exported elsewhere, amid allegations that the company helped divert Nvidia processors to China. Nvidia finance chief Colette Kress is serving as interim CEO. Reports describe her as a pragmatic counterweight to Huang, who pursued large financing commitments to AI customers and infrastructure firms, including investments connected to OpenAI. Her leadership may bring a less confrontational approach to Washington as the company navigates political scrutiny and searches for a permanent chief executive.