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U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang have been called to testify before the Senate Banking Committee over national security concerns involving Nvidia, advanced chip sales to China and reports about Huang’s alleged relationship with a woman suspected of spying for Beijing.
Lutnick has voluntarily agreed to appear before the committee, his spokesperson Kristen Eichamer told NBC News.
“Secretary Lutnick has proactively agreed to appear voluntarily before the Banking Committee to address their questions,” Eichamer said.
Huang, a prominent figure in the artificial intelligence industry, stepped down as Nvidia’s chief executive Thursday following reports of alleged extramarital relationships, including one involving a woman identified as Alice Huang, who is suspected of working as a Chinese spy and is not related to him.
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, sent letters Thursday requesting testimony from both Huang and Lutnick.
“Recent reports raise serious concerns about our national security and the protection of sensitive U.S. technology,” Scott said in a statement posted on the U.S. social media platform X.
He said the public deserved an explanation and invited Huang to testify voluntarily on Dec. 3, warning that the committee could issue a subpoena if he declined.
NBC News reported that Scott also requested a public hearing with Lutnick over recent reports involving Nvidia and the Commerce Department’s role.
Lutnick has faced scrutiny because the Commerce Department was responsible for reviewing companies for national security risks before the Trump administration approved Nvidia sales of advanced chips to China.
The U.S. restricts exports of its most advanced semiconductors to China as the two countries compete for technological leadership.
Nvidia is a global leader in chips used to train and operate artificial intelligence models and is one of the world’s most valuable companies.
The controversy has erased about $550 billion from Nvidia’s market value over the past five days, according to Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency.
Huang’s resignation has also triggered widespread controversy across Silicon Valley as lawmakers seek more information about the allegations and their potential national security implications.
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