Trump recounts conversation with Huang
Speaking Monday in remarks featured by Fox News, Trump addressed the affair allegations and questions about their national security implications. According to CNBC, he said he had spoken with Huang that day and asked whether he knew the woman was a spy.
Trump recounted Huang's response as: "I had no idea that she was a spy." The president added, "I really believe him." He also said the FBI was looking into the matter "in terms of something else" and predicted that Huang "will be in good shape."
The New York Times separately reported that Trump had been briefed on intelligence findings about the woman roughly a year before the scandal and "chose not to do anything with the information."
Nvidia investigates possible intelligence effort
Huang acknowledged the extramarital affair on Sunday, Nov. 8, according to AP News. He also acknowledged that reporting on the relationship and possible national security concerns had prompted Nvidia's board to investigate. Neither Huang nor Nvidia identified the woman.
The New York Times identified her as Alice Huang, a Chinese citizen and an executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed International. The newspaper reported that U.S. intelligence had concluded she was collecting information for Beijing.
Nvidia's board announced its inquiry on Nov. 8, saying it would examine reports that Huang, the company's founder and CEO, had been targeted by a "foreign intelligence effort." Independent directors will oversee the investigation with assistance from outside independent counsel. The board said it had no reason to believe either national security or Nvidia's secrets had been compromised.
Chip restrictions and the upcoming Xi meeting
POLITICO reported that the scandal was expected to give momentum to congressional efforts to tighten chip export controls. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, called for shipments of advanced AI chips to China to be paused immediately. Democrats planned to seek tougher restrictions through the annual defense package during the lame-duck session.
Trump, meanwhile, said he did not expect to bring up the Huang matter with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Asked whether he would raise it when the leaders meet the following week at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, he replied, "I don't think so."
