A relationship between Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang and a Singapore-based data centre executive drew the attention of American intelligence agencies, opening up a line of inquiry into China’s efforts to gain access to advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips, The New York Times reported.

The executive, Alice Huang, a Chinese citizen who worked at Megaspeed, was under scrutiny over suspicions that she was helping China circumvent US restrictions on Nvidia chips. US officials later concluded that she was a Chinese intelligence asset passing information to Beijing, according to the report.

The findings were shared with US President Donald Trump about a year ago. He chose not to act, the report said, citing people briefed on the surveillance and other officials and industry executives.

Trump has been wary of disrupting Nvidia’s chip sales, which contribute to the US economy and stock market, and of further complicating trade relations with China.

Surveillance of Alice Huang revealed that she had developed a relationship with Jensen Huang, prompting concerns over whether Beijing could gain access to information about Nvidia or insights into the Trump administration’s thinking on AI chip exports to China.

The issue could feature in discussions during Trump’s planned visit to China next month, the report said. Washington has sought to restrict China’s access to advanced chips to maintain the US lead in AI development.

Alice Huang has not received a defensive briefing, a warning sometimes given to individuals who may be targeted by foreign intelligence services. Surveillance is continuing, and companies affiliated with her have continued to purchase Nvidia chips this year, according to the report.

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