Nvidia appeared to have successfully pressed the U.S. commerce department to halt an investigation into possible chip smuggling by a customer, The Guardian reported Monday, citing new reporting by The New York Times.

The report adds a regulatory dimension to scrutiny of Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang, who acknowledged Sunday that he had an affair with Alice Huang, an executive at Singapore-based chip buyer Megaspeed. The Guardian said American officials reportedly believed she was a Chinese intelligence asset. That allegation has not been established in the supplied reporting.

According to The Guardian’s account of the Times report, Nvidia’s pressure over the Megaspeed investigation came through a Trump appointee who allowed the company to make contact about the case.

Earlier reporting had raised concerns that Megaspeed was diverting Nvidia chips to China in violation of U.S. export restrictions. Nvidia and Megaspeed denied those allegations. Megaspeed said it operated in compliance with applicable laws, including U.S. export controls.

Nvidia’s board has launched an independent investigation into reports that Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence effort.

“While the board has no reason to believe that either national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised, the board’s inquiry will examine all available information,” the board said.

The allegations are drawing attention to Huang’s access to President Donald Trump and his lobbying over restrictions on advanced AI-chip exports to China. The Guardian reported that Huang and Trump had met at least seven times since the start of Trump’s second term, with chip-export controls discussed at four meetings.

Sources