Independent Probe Into Nvidia CEO Precedes Trump’s Asia Trip as President Open to Taking Him Along
Key Facts
Nvidia’s board announced on November 8 that it had opened an independent investigation into reports that a foreign intelligence agency targeted CEO Jensen Huang, as U.S. President Donald Trump signaled he was open to taking him on his trip to Asia. Asked about Huang, Trump said, "I don’t know, but I’d certainly take him," without confirming that the CEO would actually join the trip. The investigation puts a company at the forefront of the chip industry in the spotlight; its chips are used in computing and artificial intelligence systems. The board said it sees no reason to believe national security or company secrets had been compromised. Its statement did not reach a final judgment on the reports that prompted the review.
Nvidia said a committee of independent board members would oversee the investigation with help from an independent outside legal adviser. It added that Huang supports the review and has pledged to cooperate, and that the board has confidence in him and his leadership team. Huang will remain CEO during the investigation, according to the Associated Press. The probe is therefore proceeding while Huang remains in his post, and the board has announced neither the review’s findings nor a timetable. Trump’s remark about taking him along remains separate from any announced decision about whether he will join the trip.
The developments come in a sector where Nvidia chips draw attention beyond the company’s commercial performance: its processors are used in many data centers and computing systems that train and run artificial intelligence models. Its advanced processors are also at the center of U.S. export restrictions on advanced technology to China. The Associated Press, citing a New York Times report, said Megaspeed bought more than $4.8 billion worth of Nvidia chips in the two years before the report. In August, the company reported quarterly earnings of $59.69 billion, according to the news agency. Nvidia shares closed at $186.64 on November 6, according to EL7 data.
Trump said on October 31 that he had always found Huang "straight," adding that his administration would look into the matter "closely," according to the Associated Press. In his latest remarks, he did not say whether Huang would join him on the trip to Asia, expressing only his willingness to take him along. This comes as Trump prepares to travel to Shenzhen to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, in what would be their third meeting this year, the news agency reported. The visit is taking place amid a fragile trade truce set to expire in January 2027. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urged Beijing to fulfill earlier commitments, particularly on purchases of agricultural products, rare earths and critical minerals.
Beijing confirmed it is in contact with the parties concerned about a meeting involving Xi, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the timing and format have not been settled. Researcher Sun Yun said the question was "the format and substance of the meeting," and suggested China may seek the political optics without bearing the political cost. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum comprises 21 economies, including the United States and Russia. By contrast, the Associated Press quoted Sun as saying China would not enter talks on arms control, Ukraine or Iran. Accordingly, nothing in the information made public confirms that the leaders’ meeting, if held, would address ending the war in Iran or nuclear disarmament.
The APEC leaders’ meeting is scheduled to take place in Shenzhen on November 19, 2026, according to the forum. APEC said artificial intelligence would be a prominent theme at the meeting, following discussions during the year on productivity, innovation and the adoption of emerging technologies. The forum’s Policy Support Unit forecast regional economic growth of 3.4% in 2026, compared with 3.2% in the previous year, with expected inflation rising to 3.2% from 2.4%. The forum’s research also indicated that digitizing trade documents could cut transaction costs by 5.8%. These issues put a broader economic agenda before the leaders, while Huang’s participation in Trump’s trip remains undecided.