US President Donald Trump has expressed his support for Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang following reports that Huang was targeted by a Chinese spy plot. Speaking on Oct 31 from his Florida residence, Trump stated that the US is investigating the matter “very closely.” The New York Times reported on Oct 29 that US intelligence officials believe a Chinese executive linked to a Singapore-based data center company had been funneling information to Beijing after interacting with Huang.
China has dismissed the allegations as “groundless speculation.” Trump praised Huang, calling him a “great, brilliant person” and emphasizing the need to protect such individuals. When asked if he would retain Huang as an advisor, Trump said he would “like to say yes” unless new information emerges.
Huang has previously advised Trump on AI policy and was among tech CEOs who accompanied the US leader on his visit to Beijing in May to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Taiwan-born businessman has advocated for the use of Nvidia’s chips in China, where Beijing is rapidly advancing its own semiconductor development.