China is intensifying its crackdown on US chip imports by launching an antitrust investigation into Qualcomm and deploying customs officials to scrutinize Nvidia processors at ports. The Chinese market regulator is examining whether Qualcomm’s acquisition of Israeli chip maker Autotalks violates Chinese antitrust laws. Qualcomm, a major supplier of smartphone chips to Chinese companies like Xiaomi, acquired Autotalks in June. The company is cooperating with the investigation. Meanwhile, Nvidia is also under scrutiny, with China claiming the company’s acquisition of Mellanox breached antitrust laws. In response, China has increased customs checks on semiconductor shipments and is encouraging domestic companies to avoid ordering Nvidia chips. Additionally, China plans to impose docking fees on US ships, coinciding with US port fees on China. This move is part of a broader strategy to boost China’s AI capabilities and reduce reliance on American technology. President Trump has expressed skepticism about an upcoming meeting with President Xi Jinping, citing trade tensions and potential tariff increases. China aims to ramp up domestic semiconductor production to fill gaps left by US companies, asserting that its chips are reaching performance levels comparable to Nvidia’s.
Is China targeting Nvidia and Qualcomm in a crackdown on US chip imports?
