Nvidia CEO's Beijing Trip Sparks Intelligence Dispute

Nvidia shares dropped more than 4 percent during Monday trading, a sharp decline that followed new reports questioning the timing of CEO Jensen Huang’s inclusion in the presidential delegation to Beijing.

A New York Times report published Tuesday states that the White House received sensitive intelligence in May detailing a romantic relationship between Huang and a woman identified by US intelligence as working for China's Ministry of State Security. According to officials familiar with the matter, this information was distributed to senior administration personnel before the trip took place. This timeline challenges President Donald Trump’s remarks on Monday, when he stated, "No, I hadn't heard about it then," when asked if he knew of the relationship during the visit.

The reporting indicates that Secretary of State Marco Rubio helped prepare a classified document regarding the subject. The New York Times noted that this marked at least the second instance in seven months where the president was informed about the affair. Huang was initially excluded from the group of senior business executives invited to accompany the president. He was later added to the delegation at the president’s direct invitation, a move that has drawn scrutiny given the prior intelligence disclosures.

During a Monday press conference, Trump said he had spoken with Huang to ask if the Nvidia chief knew the woman was suspected of espionage. Trump reported that Huang said he was not aware of the allegations. The president expressed confidence in Huang’s account, asserting his belief that the CEO did not know of the woman’s suspected activities. The revelation has intensified questions about Huang’s influence within the administration, particularly regarding White House artificial intelligence policy. Nvidia holds a central position in the advanced semiconductor industry, a sector at the forefront of technological competition between the United States and China.

Nvidia announced an independent investigation into the matter. The company stated it had no reason to believe its trade secrets or US national security had been compromised, but it clarified that the probe would examine all available information. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is also examining the situation, according to the president, who continues to express support for Huang.

Beijing rejected the espionage allegations. Chinese officials described the claims targeting the Nvidia CEO as baseless, adding a diplomatic dimension to the ongoing inquiry.