WASHINGTON— President Donald Trump said Monday that the FBI is investigating allegations that Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was targeted in a Chinese espionage campaign involving a woman suspected of spying for Beijing.
Trump told reporters he had spoken with Huang earlier in the day and asked whether he knew that the woman, identified as Alice Huang, was allegedly a Chinese intelligence operative.
"I had no idea she was a spy," Trump quoted the Nvidia chief as saying, adding that he believed Huang's explanation.
Trump did not provide details about the FBI investigation or say when it began. The FBI declined to comment when contacted by the BBC.
U.S. intelligence officials believe Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, was working for Beijing, according to a report by The New York Times. She is not related to the Nvidia chief executive.
Beijing has rejected the allegations, with China's Foreign Ministry describing them as "entirely groundless, speculative and intended to smear and malign China."
Nvidia said it had commissioned an independent investigation into the matter and had no reason to believe its corporate secrets or U.S. national security had been compromised.
The allegations have drawn attention because of Nvidia's central role in the global artificial intelligence industry. The company designs advanced computer chips used to develop and operate AI systems and has become one of the world's most valuable technology companies.
Nvidia shares fell more than 4% on Monday, wiping about $250 billion from its market value, according to reports. The company ranks among the largest publicly traded businesses globally, behind Apple.
The case comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing over technology, trade and national security, with advanced semiconductors emerging as a major point of friction between the two powers.
The United States has imposed restrictions on China's access to some advanced computing chips, citing concerns that the technology could be used for military purposes. Beijing has repeatedly criticised Washington's export controls and accused it of using national security arguments to restrict Chinese companies.
The allegations involving Huang could add another sensitive dimension to the technology rivalry, particularly as American authorities seek to protect semiconductor technology considered critical to economic and national security.
Neither Trump nor Nvidia provided further details about the alleged espionage operation or the woman's reported links to the company.
GO WORLD
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