Nvidia CEO’s Words Come Under Scrutiny Over China Chip Deals

Three U. S. senators have asked the Commerce Secretary to look into whether comments made by Nvidia’s chief executive may have misled officials about exporting AI chips to China. The senators, Elizabeth Warren and Jim Banks, sent a letter after the Justice Department charged three people linked to Nvidia’s customer Super Micro Computer with smuggling billions of dollars in AI servers into China. One of the accused was seen near Nvidia’s CEO at a recent conference. The senators point to two statements from 2025. In one, the CEO said there was no evidence that AI chips were being diverted to other uses and described the large systems as too heavy for personal transport. In another, he said it was important that buyers recognize diversion is not allowed and that everyone should continue to purchase Nvidia technology while monitoring themselves closely.The lawmakers argue that these statements were not only incorrect but also contradicted earlier reports about possible illegal shipments. They say the remarks may have influenced licensing decisions and want an investigation to determine if Nvidia’s leadership gave false or misleading assurances. An Nvidia spokesperson said the company treats compliance very seriously. The letter also criticizes those who they claim are helping foreign competitors by supporting unapproved business practices. The senators want the Commerce Secretary to decide if Nvidia’s claims were materially false and whether they affected U. S. export licenses. They ask for a thorough review or possible referral to other authorities.