Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Nov 11: US Republican Senator Kevin Cramer has called on Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang to step down, citing national security concerns following allegations that the executive had a personal relationship with a woman suspected of being a Chinese intelligence operative.
Cramer, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, argued that Huang's position at the helm of one of the world's leading artificial intelligence chipmakers could pose a security risk to the United States.
Speaking to Politico on Tuesday, the North Dakota senator said the possibility of blackmail arising from the alleged relationship was a serious concern, particularly given the sensitivity of Nvidia's advanced semiconductor technology.
The controversy follows an investigative report by The New York Times last month which alleged that Alice Huang, a corporate executive associated with a Singapore-based data centre company, was identified by US officials as a suspected Chinese intelligence asset. She was also suspected of facilitating the diversion of advanced microprocessors to China.
Cramer said even the possibility of compromising information being used to influence the Nvidia chief executive was sufficient to raise questions about his continued leadership.
The senator's demand came hours after former National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow also urged Huang to resign, describing it as a common-sense step.
The US House Select Committee on China has also raised concerns over the national security implications of the allegations, calling for stronger bipartisan export controls on advanced artificial intelligence chips.
Meanwhile, Democratic members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Gabe Amo, Gregory W Meeks and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, have sought answers from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick regarding the administration's approval of advanced chip exports to foreign destinations. They argued that national security considerations should take priority over commercial interests.
The controversy has also prompted scrutiny of Nvidia's internal affairs. According to a CNBC report, Huang continued attending meetings at the company's headquarters in Santa Clara, California, on Monday and Tuesday while the company prepared for its quarterly earnings announcement.
During an internal meeting, Huang reportedly addressed the controversy and expressed remorse. In a separate message to employees, he acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife and apologised for the pain caused to his family.
Nvidia's board of directors has appointed former acting US attorney Joon H Kim and the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen and Katz to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations. Cramer, however, said the board's response did not go far enough.
Adding to the controversy, CNN reported that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had received a highly classified memo warning him about Huang's association with Alice Huang.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also reportedly briefed President Donald Trump on intelligence concerning the alleged relationship while they were travelling aboard Air Force One to China in May, CNN reported, citing a source familiar with the matter.
Trump said on Monday that he had learnt about the allegations only recently and that federal investigators were examining the matter. He described Huang as an accomplished individual and expressed sympathy for the difficulties faced by him and his family.
However, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticised the president, alleging that Trump had been briefed about the matter more than a year ago but had failed to act. Schumer also questioned the administration's approach to advanced chip exports to China and called for answers over what he described as a failure to protect US national security.