NVIDIA has appointed veteran lobbyist Bruce Andrews as Chief External Affairs Officer, strengthening the company’s presence in Washington, D.C. as it navigates increasing regulatory scrutiny and seeks to maintain access to the Chinese market.
Andrews joins the AI chip giant after serving as Intel’s head of government affairs under former CEO Pat Gelsinger. He also held a senior role at the U.S. Department of Commerce during the Obama administration.
In his new role, Andrews will oversee NVIDIA’s government relations efforts and report to the company’s general counsel, Tim Teter. The appointment comes at a pivotal time for NVIDIA as policymakers intensify their focus on the company’s business ties with China and the broader implications of its leadership in artificial intelligence.
NVIDIA has been seeking to preserve and expand its presence in China despite U.S. export controls. The company recently obtained licenses from the U.S. government to sell its less advanced H200 AI chips to the country.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has repeatedly argued that maintaining access to China is strategically important. He has warned that restricting sales could allow non-U.S. competitors to capture the benefits of one of the world’s largest AI markets.
Although NVIDIA’s most advanced AI chips remain subject to U.S. export restrictions, Huang said last month that the company’s projection for a $200 billion market opportunity for its Vera central processors includes demand from China.
The hiring of Andrews signals NVIDIA’s intent to deepen its engagement with policymakers as the company balances national security concerns, global competition, and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence technologies.
