Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott announced on Thursday that former Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick must appear before a public hearing scheduled for Dec. 3. Scott warned that refusal would trigger subpoenas, underscoring the committee’s intent to examine corporate conduct linked to national security concerns. The summons marks a high-profile congressional effort to probe corporate conduct linked to national security concerns.
Huang stepped down on Thursday after reports surfaced of extramarital relationships, including with a woman whom U.S. authorities suspect of acting for Chinese intelligence. The revelations coincided with Nvidia’s market capitalization slipping below $4 trillion, a level not seen since July 2025. The chipmaker, known for producing advanced AI processors, now faces intensified scrutiny from both regulators and investors.
The Trump administration has been accused of failing to properly review Nvidia’s exports of high-performance semiconductors to China. Lawmakers also allege that the Commerce Department, under Lutnick, declined to place dozens of Chinese firms on the U.S. trade blacklist, a move critics say undermines export-control policy. These charges have fueled calls for tighter oversight of technology transfers that could bolster Beijing’s military capabilities.
Three additional House committees have issued separate invitations for Huang and Nvidia general counsel Tim Teter to testify on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2, warning that non-compliance would result in subpoenas. The overlapping schedules reflect broad legislative interest across multiple jurisdictions, ranging from finance to foreign affairs. By targeting both senior executives and legal advisors, Congress aims to assemble a comprehensive picture of the company’s export practices and internal governance.
President Donald Trump defended Huang, describing him as “honourable,” while Senator Richard Blumenthal raised concerns to Al Jazeera about a reported $25,000 donation from Nvidia to the Trump administration. Beijing denied any involvement in espionage activities linked to the scandal, rejecting U.S. accusations. The divergent statements illustrate the political tension surrounding the case, with domestic critics questioning corporate influence and foreign officials rejecting allegations of intelligence operations.
China warned on Friday that tighter U.S. export controls on semiconductor equipment could destabilize global supply chains and industry stability. A foreign-ministry spokeswoman said Beijing “has repeatedly rejected misuse of export-control rules.” In response, U.S. lawmakers are pushing for new limits on chip-making tools shipped to China, arguing that stricter rules are needed to protect national security and maintain competitive advantage.