US Department of Commerce Blocks Shipment of GPU A100 to Australia
In a surprising turn of events, the US Department of Commerce has prevented the Chinese self-driving truck company, TuSimple, from shipping 24 GPU A100 to Australia. While Australia is not subject to any graphics card sanctions or restrictions, the US government raised concerns that these GPU A100 could ultimately end up in China, resulting in the blockage of the shipment. TuSimple has denied these allegations, stating that the GPU A100 was intended for its Australian subsidiary.
The Chinese market currently faces a ban on many prohibited GPUs, especially higher-end models that could theoretically be used for military purposes and other activities disapproved by the US. The GPU A100 was one of the first GPUs subjected to export restrictions, with the Department of Commerce closely monitoring compliance with these rules.
When TuSimple attempted to send 24 GPU A100 to Australia, it triggered suspicions within the Department. The company has long been under scrutiny, with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States conducting an investigation into TuSimple in 2021, and the company being accused of espionage in 2023. Despite the shipment’s intended destination being Australia, the US government was concerned about TuSimple potentially planning to deliver the GPU A100 to China.
TuSimple stated to the Wall Street Journal that the shipment was intended for their newly established Australian subsidiary, which was created just this past October. According to TuSimple, the Australian subsidiary would have made better use of the 24 GPU A100 than the company’s US branch, which is being dissolved. With the company’s trucks being auctioned off, these GPUs had little chance of finding any utilization in the US market.
However, there is still speculation that TuSimple may have intended to deliver the GPU A100 to China. The Wall Street Journal spoke with “individuals familiar with the matter” who claimed that CEO Cheng Lu personally planned to have the GPUs delivered to China. While these orders were likely not documented, an assistant to Lu coordinated the shipment of the 24 GPU A100 to Australia with TuSimple’s Chinese office. Even the company’s lawyers commented on the shipment, stating that it would be illegal to send the GPUs to China, but not to Australia.
The gray market importation poses a significant challenge for the US when it comes to enforcing chip restrictions. Despite the strictness of these bans, GPUs like the A100 still make their way to China, although in very limited quantities. Indeed, it is possible that the Department of Commerce was apprehensive about TuSimple’s shipment, particularly due to the small number of GPU A100 units, which makes gray market importation easier.
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The source of the article is from the blog mgz.com.tw