China’s market regulator has launched an antitrust investigation into US chip giant Qualcomm, focusing on the company’s recent acquisition of Autotalks, an Israeli firm that develops connected-vehicle technology. The probe officially began on October 10, 2025.
Why the Probe Was Launched
In a statement issued on October 12, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said that Qualcomm went ahead with the Autotalks acquisition in June 2025 without seeking prior approval from Chinese authorities.
Since Qualcomm has a significant business presence in China, local law requires such transactions to be cleared by regulators before they are finalized. SAMR noted that Qualcomm has since acknowledged it failed to notify the agency as required.
Wider Context: Not Just Qualcomm
This isn’t the first time Chinese regulators have taken a closer look at deals involving US tech companies. Reports suggest that Nvidia’s earlier acquisition of Mellanox, a networking equipment maker, is also under scrutiny. The move comes against the backdrop of ongoing US-China trade tensions, where technology and semiconductors remain highly sensitive areas.
Market Impact
The news rattled investors. Qualcomm’s shares fell 7.29% on Friday, closing at $153.59. That drop left the company with a market capitalization of $165.72 billion. Over the past year, Qualcomm’s stock has traded as high as $182.10 and as low as $120.80.
