Trump and Xi Proceed With Summit Amid Nvidia Spy Controversy
Chinese officials dismiss intelligence claims involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang as a smear, while trade talks and rare earth export controls remain central to the upcoming agenda.
By Hiroshi Ferrari ·
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are set to hold a summit in Shenzhen next week despite a new espionage allegation involving Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang. Both leaders plan to travel to the southern Chinese city as part of the Asia-Pacific leaders' summit, with the meeting now just days away.
The controversy centers on claims that a woman with whom Huang had a romantic relationship worked for Chinese intelligence services. Huang publicly admitted to the affair on Monday. In response, the Chinese foreign ministry labeled the story a baseless smear. Spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that the so-called Chinese spy narrative is pure speculation.
This incident echoes the diplomatic friction caused by the US Air Force shooting down a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina three years ago. At that time, then-US Secretary of State Tony Blinken postponed a planned visit to Beijing. Officials on both sides of the Pacific appear more relaxed about the current situation than they were during the earlier balloon incident.
Chinese state media have covered the story with restraint. An editorial in the English-language Global Times described Huang as a victim of politicized US-China competition. The publication noted that Huang moved to the United States when he was nine years old. It questioned why an American entrepreneur with deep ties to China faces extra scrutiny due to his ethnicity.
Huang maintains strong relationships with leaders in Washington, Beijing, and Taipei. He has served as a bridge between the two superpowers in recent months. In May, he flew aboard Air Force One with Trump to Beijing. In September, Huang and his wife sat at the head table during a state banquet for Xi at the White House.
Trump said on Monday that he spoke with Huang about the allegations. The US president stated that Huang told him he did not know the woman was a spy. Trump added that he believes Huang’s account. He indicated that he sees no reason to change his travel plans for the upcoming trip to the Philippines and China.
One specific allegation is that the woman in question worked to bypass US export rules. These rules restrict the sale of Nvidia’s most advanced microchips to China. Export controls are expected to be a major topic of discussion when Trump and Xi meet in Shenzhen.
China extended its suspension of export controls on rare earth elements until January on Monday. Rare earths are critical for advanced manufacturing. This move aligns with Washington’s suspension of certain tariffs on Chinese goods while trade negotiations continue. The timing of the extension suggests both sides are keeping channels of communication open.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is also expected to attend the summit. A trilateral meeting between Trump, Xi, and Putin is anticipated, though the three parties have not yet finalized an agenda. Trump expressed a desire to discuss nuclear disarmament. Beijing has previously ruled out such talks, citing the size difference between its nuclear arsenal and those of the US and Russia.
China may also play a role in ending the war in Iran. Officials suggest Beijing is willing to offer a platform to facilitate a deal. However, China is likely to act as a facilitator rather than an active mediator between the warring parties. The Shenzhen summit will be the first major multilateral gathering to bring together the leaders of the world’s three largest economies since the start of the year.
