U.S. lawmakers are pressing Nvidia co-founder Jensen Huang to answer questions about the company's handling of national security concerns and advanced chip exports to China. The requests came Thursday, Nov. 12, as Nvidia announced that Huang had resigned as chief executive, president and a member of its board.
Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott asked Huang and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to testify, Reuters reported Thursday evening. Scott said he would consider issuing a subpoena if Huang declined to appear voluntarily. Lawmakers have raised questions about how the Commerce Department oversaw Nvidia's chip exports to China.
Three House committee chairs made a separate request. They asked Huang to sit for a closed-door, transcribed interview on Dec. 1 and requested an interview with Nvidia general counsel Tim Teter the following day. The lawmakers warned they could issue subpoenas to compel their appearances. Huang's attendance on Dec. 1 has yet to be confirmed.
The scrutiny intensified after reports that Huang had a relationship with Alice Huang, a businesswoman whom U.S. officials suspect of working for Chinese intelligence. China has denied the allegation. U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said Thursday that the Justice Department had yet to reach a conclusion on whether she was a spy.
Nvidia appointed Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO. She will retain her finance role while the board considers internal and external candidates for a permanent successor. The board also named longtime director Harvey C. Jones as its first chair. Nvidia's SEC filing says the board accepted Huang's resignation on Nov. 11, a day before the company announced it publicly.
Nvidia shares closed Thursday down 4.34% and fell about another 3% in extended trading, Reuters reported. The company is scheduled to release its quarterly results on Tuesday, Nov. 17, followed by an earnings call at 2 p.m. Pacific.
