When Chinese technology start-up DeepSeek shocked financial markets in January, having reportedly developed an AI system for just $6 million comparable to OpenAI offerings costing in the billions, suspicions quickly turned to Singapore. Was it possible that Chinese actors in the Southeast Asian country may have illegally acquired high-end Nvidia chips, which are subject to US export controls? Not long afterwards, Singaporean authorities charged three individuals, including a Chinese national, in a fraud case said to potentially involve Nvidia chips. The case involves questions around shipping of computer servers to Malaysia and whether that was the final destination. Singapore’s government has said Nvidia does not believe any chips came via Singapore, while making clear that it expects “US companies, like Nvidia, to comply with US export controls and our domestic legislation”.
Chipping away at controls: Singapore’s challenge with China-linked companies | Lowy Institute
