Donald Trump is facing questions after defending a tech billionaire caught up in a Chinese spy scandal, with reports that he was warned about the relationship before inviting the tycoon to meet China's president.
Jensen Huang, co-founder of chip giant Nvidia, quit as the company's boss after admitting an extramarital affair, following reports of his relationship with a woman US intelligence reportedly believes spied for Beijing.
Briefing on Air Force One
Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed the president on the intelligence during a flight to China in May, according to The New York Times and CNN. Mr Trump then invited Mr Huang to board the presidential jet during a refuelling stop in Alaska.
The Times reported that Mr Trump had first been briefed on the concerns last year. Yet when asked whether he knew of the relationship before the summit, the president insisted: "No, I didn't hear about it then."
President's defence of Huang
The woman, Alice Huang, is a former executive of Megaspeed, a Singapore firm that buys advanced Nvidia chips. Mr Trump has since spoken to the tycoon, who he says denied knowing she was a spy, and insisted: "I really believe him."
He reportedly even urged Mr Huang to fight to keep his job after a member of Congress demanded answers.
Impact on Nvidia and Washington
The scandal has rocked Washington, which has spent years trying to keep America's most advanced chips out of Beijing's hands. Nvidia saw around $200 billion wiped off its value as the scandal broke.
Its board has launched an independent investigation, and Mr Trump says the FBI is also investigating.
