Trump to Bring Musk on Asia Trip as Chip Dispute Looms

Published November 13, 2026. President Donald Trump is expected to bring Elon Musk on a trip to the Philippines and China, where the Tesla and SpaceX chief is seen by administration officials as an adviser with economic and national security interests.

The visit comes amid controversy surrounding former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who was ousted after an affair with Alice Huang, an alleged Chinese government agent. Beijing rejects the claim that she works as an intelligence operative. Last year, allegations surfaced that her firm, Megaspeed, had sent advanced Nvidia chips into China.

Trump does not intend to raise the matter with Xi, and officials do not anticipate Chinese retaliation if the United States takes further steps to stop chip smuggling or use. Aides are considering tighter export licensing and measures to prevent Chinese companies from accessing advanced chips remotely. The administration says export controls are not bargaining tools in talks with other countries.

Trump is scheduled to arrive in Manila on November 17 for meetings with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He plans to sign a trade agreement with Thailand and meet with the Quad, made up of the United States, India, Australia and Japan. On November 18, he will travel to Shenzhen for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and a third face-to-face meeting this year with Xi.

The trip will conclude with a trilateral meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, with nuclear arms limits expected to feature prominently. The Iran war is also expected to come up, while Russia’s war in Ukraine is not on the planned agenda. Musk will not attend that meeting, and Trump has no plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump Takes Musk to China While Leaving Chip Concerns Unchallenged

President Donald Trump is taking Elon Musk to Asia as his administration faces questions about advanced Nvidia chips reaching China. Yet Trump does not plan to raise the controversy with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, even as aides consider steps to tighten controls.

The scandal followed the removal of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang after an affair with Alice Huang, whom Beijing denies is a Chinese agent. Last year, Megaspeed faced allegations of dispatching advanced Nvidia chips to China. Officials say export controls are not subject to negotiation, but the president’s decision to avoid the issue with Xi leaves the dispute outside the talks.

Musk, whose SpaceX and Tesla businesses have economic and national security interests, is being treated as a valuable adviser on the journey. The contrast is striking: a powerful business figure is included, while a major concern about China’s access to advanced technology will not be raised directly with its leader.

Trump arrives in Manila on November 17 for ASEAN meetings, a planned trade deal with Thailand and talks with the Quad. He travels to Shenzhen on November 18 for the APEC summit and a meeting with Xi. A closing session with Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to focus on limiting nuclear weapons; the Iran war may also be discussed, while Ukraine is not expected on the agenda. Musk will not join that trilateral meeting.

Trump Keeps Chip Controls Separate From China Summit Talks

President Donald Trump’s Asia trip will bring Elon Musk, a leader in two major technology and space companies, into the president’s advisory orbit as the administration weighs how to protect U.S. access to advanced chips.

The trip comes amid the fallout from former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s ouster after an affair with Alice Huang, alleged to be an agent of the Chinese government. Beijing rejects the allegation, while her company, Megaspeed, faced claims last year that it shipped Nvidia’s advanced chips into China.

Trump will not confront Xi Jinping about the scandal, and officials do not expect retaliation if the United States pursues further measures against smuggling or Chinese access to advanced chips. Aides are considering tighter export licensing and restrictions on remote access. The administration’s position is that export controls should not be traded away in diplomatic negotiations—a clear effort to keep national security policy from becoming a summit bargaining chip.

Trump is due in Manila on November 17 for ASEAN meetings, a trade deal with Thailand and a session with the Quad. He will head to Shenzhen on November 18 for the APEC summit and a third meeting with Xi this year. His trip concludes with Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where nuclear arms limits are expected to be central. The Iran war may be discussed; Ukraine is not expected on the agenda, and Musk will not attend.