China said on Monday that a preliminary investigation had found United States chipmaker Nvidia violating the country’s antitrust rules, prompting regulators to launch a deeper probe.
The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), Beijing’s top market watchdog, announced that the findings stemmed from an investigation first disclosed in December.
“Following a preliminary investigation, it has been determined that NVIDIA Corporation has violated the Anti-Monopoly Law of the People’s Republic of China,” SAMR said in a statement.
“The agency has therefore decided to conduct a further investigation in accordance with the law.”
No details were provided on the specific violations or the scope of the new probe.
The move came as China and the United States continued a tense rivalry for dominance in the semiconductor industry, a vital sector for economic and national security interests.
California-based Nvidia, now the world’s most valuable chipmaker and a leader in artificial intelligence hardware, reported earnings last month that highlighted challenges in its China business amid growing US export restrictions and scrutiny.
The announcement coincided with a second consecutive day of bilateral trade talks in Madrid, where US and Chinese officials seek to ease tensions over trade, technology, and broader geopolitical disputes.
