Malaysia Tightens Chip Rules Amid U.S. Pressure Over Nvidia's China Links
March 24, 2025
The competition for AI supremacy between the U.S. and China remains fierce, with both countries heavily investing in technology and innovation.
This crackdown is part of a broader U.S. initiative to control the flow of advanced technology to nations deemed adversarial, especially in the context of national security.
Malaysia's new oversight measures will impose additional compliance demands on technology companies while they strive to balance economic growth with regulatory adherence.
Malaysia is tightening its semiconductor regulations in response to U.S. pressure, particularly concerning allegations that Nvidia chips are being rerouted to China.
This scrutiny follows the recent charging of three individuals in Singapore for selling NVIDIA's AI servers to China, valued at around $390 million, under false pretenses.
The U.S. has increased its scrutiny of foreign tech imports, particularly following the implementation of new tariffs that have significantly impacted companies like Nvidia.
Nvidia's stock valuation plummeted by $200 billion in a single day due to these tariffs, underscoring the profound effects of U.S. trade policies on the tech sector.
Minister Zafrul emphasized the challenges of tracking semiconductor movements within complex global supply chains and the need for cooperation among stakeholders.
Despite increased oversight, the intricate nature of global supply chains complicates the U.S. efforts to fully prevent the diversion of advanced GPUs to China.
The rapid growth of Malaysia's data center sector, which has attracted over $25 billion in investments, has raised concerns among U.S. regulators about potential circumvention of export restrictions.
U.S. lawmakers are calling for a review of export controls on shipments through third countries, with Singapore being a significant focus due to its role in the semiconductor supply chain.
While the specific details of the new regulations and their implementation timeline remain undisclosed, the urgency for U.S. action has intensified following recent events.
Summary based on 14 sources
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Sources

Financial Times • Mar 24, 2025
Malaysia to crack down on Nvidia chip flows under US pressure
Tom's Hardware • Mar 24, 2025
U.S. asks Malaysia to 'monitor every shipment' to close the flow of restricted GPUs to China
Investing.com • Mar 24, 2025
Malaysia to tighten semiconductor rules amid US pressure over Nvidia chips – FT