US Commerce Secretary Lutnick Agrees to Testify on Nvidia Chip Shipments to China

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott has requested explanations from Lutnick regarding potential shipments of advanced artificial intelligence chips to Chinese companies. A letter to the department references recent reports involving Nvidia and the role of the Commerce Department, which may raise national security concerns.

A separate hearing is scheduled for December 3 for former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. The letter to him states that reports linking him to an alleged Chinese spy have raised serious security concerns.

Huang acknowledged a romantic relationship with the head of Singapore-based company Megaspeed. Over the past two years, the company has purchased advanced Nvidia AI chips worth more than $4.8 billion. The scandal, along with reports of another relationship involving an Nvidia executive, led to his resignation on Thursday.

Lawmakers from both parties are examining whether the Commerce Department has sufficiently restricted technology exports to China and how closely it has monitored Nvidia shipments. Senator Jim Banks stated that, in his view, Lutnick may have exploited loopholes that allowed some deals to proceed.

Senator Elizabeth Warren and incoming Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Chris Coons have demanded the preservation of all documents related to Nvidia chip exports to China. Ron Wyden and Richard Neal informed Lutnick of an investigation into the approval of shipments to companies linked to Chinese authorities, military, and sanctioned organizations. Congressman Brian Mast has also called for an examination of the department’s role but stated that he trusts Lutnick.