Singapore says US gave limited help in AI chip probe
Singapore's home affairs ministry said the US provided limited assistance in its investigation into AI chip deals linked to Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang. Huang's passport was seized in 2025. The ministry said it received little cooperation from US agencies despite repeated requests.
Singapore's home affairs ministry said on Thursday that the United States provided "limited" help in its probe into artificial intelligence chip deals linked to Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang, whose passport was seized by the city-state in 2025.
The ministry said the US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) carried out a shipment verification check at Singapore-based Nvidia customer Megaspeed in June 2025, with its then-chief executive officer Alice Huang present. It was the first time Singapore learned of Washington's interest in Megaspeed and Huang, and the police interviewed her and impounded her passport on the same day, the ministry said.
Alice Huang was investigated "for suspected involvement in the possible offences in Singapore, given her position as then-CEO, Chairperson, and one of the key controllers of Megaspeed," the ministry said. It said the investigation did not concern espionage. Singapore had opened an independent investigation into several companies in February 2025, including cloud computing firm Megaspeed, over potential false declarations in the purchase of servers and other related offences.
The ministry said US AI server maker Super Micro Computer had provided limited cooperation, leading Singapore to make repeated requests to the US Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for help in securing the company's cooperation. "Despite these repeated requests, Singapore has to date received limited information or assistance in respect of the company," it said.
Alice Huang was investigated for possible offences including buying servers that were exported via Singapore to Malaysia without entering the Singapore market. The ministry said there was insufficient evidence to establish that she had committed any offences, but it said she had provided police with "information, which she knew to be inaccurate" during the investigation and had downplayed her role in Megaspeed. She left Singapore in February when Singapore returned her passport and was banned from re-entering the country, it said.
Alice Huang could not be reached for comment. She is currently living in Beijing with the knowledge of security officials, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the matter. US Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Thursday that the Justice Department has not yet reached a conclusion on whether Alice Huang was a Chinese spy.
The home affairs ministry said investigations into Megaspeed and six individuals were ongoing. It said the city-state would "not allow companies or individuals to misuse Singapore's business environment to engage in fraud or dishonest practices," and would cooperate with foreign authorities where appropriate. Megaspeed said on Thursday it takes compliance obligations under US export control laws "extremely seriously", adding that it has cooperated with US inspections.