Huawei Affiliate Location Scrutinised

US lawmakers are investigating Futurewei, a Huawei subsidiary, regarding its shared location with Nvidia in Silicon Valley. The House Select Committee on China is seeking clarification on a decade-long arrangement where Futurewei held the primary lease on buildings at Nvidia's Santa Clara headquarters before Nvidia acquired full control in 2024.

The inquiry raises concerns about potential Chinese espionage and access to America's advanced semiconductor and AI technologies. Lawmakers highlight the risk of Futurewei gaining 'unprecedented access' to Nvidia's proprietary information and strategic planning. Futurewei has since relocated to a separate address in San Jose.

The investigation also focuses on Futurewei's activities in international standards bodies and US policy organisations, alleging the company promotes Beijing's vision for authoritarian internet control. This probe puts Nvidia, a key player in the AI chip market, in the midst of US-China tensions.