China’s market regulator says Nvidia violated antitrust law and will face a deeper investigation even as U.S.–China trade talks continue.
Beijing’s market regulator on Monday accused U.S. chip giant Nvidia of violating China’s anti-monopoly rules and announced an expanded investigation, heightening tensions in the global semiconductor race.
“Following a preliminary investigation, it has been determined that NVIDIA Corporation has violated the Anti-Monopoly Law of the People’s Republic of China,” the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said in a statement. “The SAMR has therefore decided to conduct a further investigation into the matter in accordance with the law.”
The watchdog gave no details of the alleged infractions or the scope of the follow-up probe. China initially opened the case in December as part of a broader push to curb perceived market abuses in strategic industries.
The move comes as Beijing and Washington hold a second day of trade talks in Madrid aimed at easing economic frictions. Nvidia, a leading developer of artificial intelligence chips, reported earnings last month that highlighted growing pressure on its China business amid U.S. export controls.