New turn in Nvidia China chip scandal as Lutnick agrees to testify

The scandal is about if Nvidia chips reached Chinese companies because export checks were weak. In November 2026, Nvidia chief Jensen Huang admitted an affair with a woman who is suspected to be a Chinese spy.

Earlier: Nvidia chief admits spy affair, and AI chip supply is at risk

Howard Lutnick, the US Commerce Secretary, agreed to testify to the Senate Banking Committee, says a spokesperson for Lutnick. Committee chair Tim Scott wants Lutnick on Dec. 10 and Jensen Huang on Dec. 3, after Huang resigned as Nvidia chief on Thursday. Megaspeed, a Singapore company of the woman in the affair, bought more than $4.8 billion of top Nvidia AI chips in two years.

What is new

The committee sent letters on Thursday evening. The letter to Lutnick is about reports on Nvidia and the role of the Commerce Department in Nvidia exports. The spokesperson says Lutnick offered to go.

What lawmakers say

Lawmakers from the two parties question the work of the department. Their words:

• Senator Jim Banks says Lutnick “appears to have used loopholes” for some sales.
• Senator Elizabeth Warren tells Lutnick to close the export loopholes.
• Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Richard Neal have an investigation of sales approvals.

What is not known

The source gives no proof that the department made an error. Representative Brian Mast says Congress must make an investigation, but Mast has confidence in Lutnick. The hearings are in the future, and their result is not known.

Insight: The test of US chip control moves to the regulator

The chip scandal began as a story about one spy and one customer. At this time the Senate questions the department that approves exports. In November 2026, Nvidia told a US lawmaker that it can find chips, but gave no written proof. This reads as blame that moves to the rule maker, and the hearings can set the license checks. Leaders who buy chips must plan for them.