KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia rebounded to close higher on Wednesday on selective buying of defensive stocks after a volatile trading session. IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said consumer products and services stocks lifted the key index higher, overcoming lingering geopolitical concerns. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 3.08 points to 1,715.56 from yesterday’s close of 1,712.48. The benchmark index, which opened 1.91 points higher at 1,714.39, moved between 1,710.79 and 1,720.59 during the day’s trading. In the broader market, gainers outstripped decliners 550 to 476, while 612 counters were unchanged, 1,129 untraded, and 48 suspended. Turnover rose to 2.96 billion units valued at RM2.48 billion from 2.94 billion units valued at RM2.56 billion on Tuesday.
US Reportedly Embeds Trackers in Dell, Super Micro Shipments with Nvidia, AMD Chips to Curb China Diversions
Targeted Tracking to Enforce Export Controls
US authorities have reportedly deployed location-tracking devices in select shipments of advanced AI chips to detect and prevent illegal diversions to China, according to Reuters. The covert measures apply only to shipments under investigation and focus on high-risk exports restricted under US trade rules.
Industry sources told Reuters that trackers have been found hidden in server shipments from Dell Technologies and Super Micro Computer, containing chips made by Nvidia and AMD. These devices are reportedly placed both externally on packaging and internally within server components.
High-Stakes Enforcement Amid Relaxed Sales Terms
The program reflects Washington’s intensified enforcement of semiconductor export restrictions to China, even as the Trump administration has allowed limited AI chip sales under new revenue-sharing arrangements. In one 2024 case, Dell servers carrying Nvidia chips were equipped with both large external trackers and smaller concealed devices. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) typically leads such operations, with support from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI.
Corporate Responses
Super Micro declined to address the tracking initiative, citing non-disclosure of security practices.
Dell stated it was “not aware” of any such US government program.
Nvidia and AMD did not provide comment at the time of reporting.
Market and Strategic Implications
The US continues to dominate the global AI chip supply chain and has leveraged export restrictions to curb China’s military modernization. Nvidia has reportedly agreed to pay a 15% export fee on AI chip sales to China under its new licensing terms. China accounts for roughly 13% of Nvidia’s $17 billion revenue and 24% of AMD’s $6.2 billion revenue.
This development underscores the heightened scrutiny on semiconductor exports and the potential compliance risks for global supply chain players, even as limited trade channels remain open under strict oversight.
Comments
Post a Comment