China has opened an antitrust investigation into US semiconductor giant Qualcomm as trade tensions with Washington intensify. The move came shortly before US President Donald Trump declared 100% tariffs on all Chinese imports, effective November 1.
According to China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the probe will examine whether Qualcomm violated antitrust rules by not fully disclosing details of its acquisition of Israeli chipmaker Autotalks, completed in June 2025, Reuters reported.
The Chinese regulator is reportedly investigating if Qualcomm’s filing process breached local laws, adding to the growing list of actions Beijing has taken against American tech firms.
Rising US-China trade friction
Trump’s latest tariff announcement marks a sharp escalation in the trade conflict. He stated the new tariffs would be imposed “over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying.” In response, Beijing announced plans to levy a special port fee on U.S. ships docking in Chinese ports, signaling its intention to retaliate.
These developments come as relations between the world’s two largest economies deteriorate, particularly in the technology and semiconductor sectors.
China intensifies crackdown on foreign tech
China has recently expanded its scrutiny of Western tech companies. On Thursday, it added TechInsights, a Canada-based semiconductor research firm, to its “unreliable entity list.” The decision followed the firm’s publication of reports detailing Huawei’s chip advancements.
Last month, China’s antitrust regulator accused Nvidia of violating anti-monopoly laws related to its 2020 acquisition, further tightening control over foreign chip firms operating in the country.
Qualcomm’s acquisition under the spotlight
Qualcomm’s acquisition of Autotalks focuses on vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technology, designed to reduce car crashes by improving data exchange between vehicles and infrastructure. The deal integrates Autotalks’ innovations into Qualcomm’s Snapdragon car platform.
This acquisition aligns with China’s plan to standardize V2X communication across major regions by 2026. However, analysts believe the probe could be a strategic pressure move by Beijing rather than a simple legal review.
“China could have imposed a minor penalty for procedural issues, but a higher sanction may indicate a strategic move,” said Stephen Wu, founder of Carthage Capital, to Reuters.
Qualcomm’s previous clashes with China
This is not Qualcomm’s first legal challenge in China. In 2015, the company paid a $975 million fine to settle a similar antitrust investigation.
In 2024, Qualcomm briefly delayed its Autotalks acquisition due to regulatory hurdles but completed it earlier this year. Both Qualcomm and Autotalks have not issued any public statements about the current probe.
Broader implications
Beijing’s latest actions—ranging from export controls on rare-earth materials and lithium batteries to sanctions on U.S. firms—reflect an ongoing effort to counter Washington’s economic pressure. Experts warn that these moves could further destabilize global chip and trade networks between the two countries.