Nvidia accused of influencing chip smuggling probe
The gist
Nvidia's general counsel contacted Commerce investigators in August 2025 about the Megaspeed chip probe.
The case now links Nvidia's CEO to an alleged Chinese spy.
How it unfolded
- Sep 2024The US government suspected Megaspeed of smuggling Nvidia chips into China, months before Trump's second term began.
- Aug 2025Nvidia general counsel Tim Teter contacted Commerce Department investigators about the Megaspeed probe, saying senior official Jeff Kessler had given permission.
- Nov 6, 2026The New York Times reported that Alice Huang was a spy for China's Ministry of State Security, according to people briefed on US surveillance.
Key terms
- export controls
- Legislation regulating the export of goods, software and technology, often requiring exporters to obtain a licence.
- Commerce Department
- An executive department of the U.S. federal government handling business data, industrial standards, and economic security.
- Ministry of State Security
- China's principal civilian intelligence and security agency, handling foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, and political security.
Source: Wikipedia