US Senator Chris Van Hollen has called for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s dismissal over the handling of Nvidia chip exports, while former Vice President Mike Pence demands answers. Congressional scrutiny intensifies following Jensen Huang’s departure amid national security concerns.
The controversy surrounding Nvidia’s advanced semiconductor exports to China has intensified, with Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen calling for US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to be removed from office. Meanwhile, former Vice President Mike Pence has demanded greater accountability over the administration’s decisions regarding American chip exports and national security concerns.
The developments came on Sunday during appearances on major US political television programmes, where lawmakers questioned the Trump administration’s handling of export restrictions involving Singapore-based technology company Megaspeed.
Speaking on ABC’s This Week, Van Hollen said Lutnick should be fired, arguing that the Commerce Department had failed to place Megaspeed on the US export blacklist despite receiving information about the company. He referred to comments by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who reportedly said several government agencies had supported restrictions on Megaspeed for months, but the final decision rested with the Commerce Department.
The Commerce Department had previously rejected reports questioning its handling of the matter, describing the coverage as inaccurate and defending Lutnick’s advisory role.
Former Republican Vice President Mike Pence also raised concerns about the issue during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press. He argued that Jensen Huang’s departure from Nvidia should not bring an end to investigations into decisions that potentially allowed advanced American semiconductors to reach companies capable of supplying them to China.
Pence questioned the reasoning behind the relaxation of export controls and called for a broader examination of officials and policymakers involved in those decisions. He also raised concerns about the Commerce Department’s oversight responsibilities.
Van Hollen separately challenged President Donald Trump’s denial that he had previously received information about Huang’s reported relationship with a woman allegedly linked to Chinese intelligence. According to an ABC report citing sources, Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed Trump about the matter aboard Air Force One during a May trip to China, which Huang also attended.
Trump denied receiving such a briefing. He said Huang had told him that he was unaware of the woman’s alleged intelligence connections and that he believed the former Nvidia chief executive.
Van Hollen said he believed Trump had been informed and called for an investigation that would include testimony under oath.
The controversy centres on Alice Huang, identified in media reports as a senior executive associated with Megaspeed. US intelligence allegations have linked her to Chinese intelligence, while Megaspeed has faced scrutiny over claims that advanced Nvidia chips were diverted to China. These allegations have not been established as proven espionage.
Meanwhile, congressional scrutiny is expanding. Representative John Moolenaar said Huang and Nvidia representatives had agreed to interviews with three House committees, although dates were still being discussed.
On November 12, congressional committee leaders also requested appearances by Huang, Nvidia General Counsel Tim Teter and Commerce official Jeffrey Kessler.
Huang announced on November 8 that he supported an independent investigation into national security concerns raised in media reports and would cooperate fully. Nvidia’s independent directors subsequently appointed former federal prosecutor Joon Kim to lead the investigation.
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Nvidia confirmed Huang’s departure on November 12, appointing Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim chief executive and Harvey Jones as board chairman. His resignation took effect on November 11, according to a securities filing.
The developments have intensified scrutiny of US semiconductor export policies, corporate accountability and the government’s efforts to protect sensitive American technology from potential diversion to China.
