Nvidia risks losing key deals without Jensen Huang, Musk warns

Elon Musk warned Saturday that Nvidia will lose "critical" deals without ousted CEO Jensen Huang, saying many agreements relied on personal trust rather than written contracts. Musk stated Huang drove the supply chain "brilliantly," with deals often based on "a handshake with Jensen, not a written contract." Huang spent decades cultivating partnerships with Asian suppliers, including a nearly three-decade relationship with TSMC lacking a formal legal contract. Huang's credibility persuaded suppliers to invest billions in capacity ahead of demand. While Nvidia retains institutional agreements and executives, replacing his personal influence poses a challenge, as competitors may exploit uncertainty during the leadership transition.