China claims NVIDIA violated antitrust laws
On September 15, 2025, China's State Administration for Market Regulation announced the results of a preliminary investigation that found NVIDIA had violated antitrust laws.
In the case of anti-transaction law, the city administration department determines the law, and the procedure is followed.
https://www.samr.gov.cn/xw/zj/art/2025/art_66b8363c3a194ba0a394a843d6cf3fd1.html
China Targets Nvidia Over 2020 Deal, Straining Trade Talks - Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-15/china-finds-nvidia-violated-antitrust-law-after-initial-probe
China: Nvidia violated anti-monopoly law, will continue investigation
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/15/china-nvidia-violated-anti-monopoly-law-will-continue-investigation.html
The investigation by Chinese authorities was conducted in relation to Nvidia's 2020 acquisition of computer networking supplier Mellanox for $7 billion (approximately 1.1 trillion yen).
China launches antitrust investigation against NVIDIA - GIGAZINE
Chinese authorities conditionally approved the acquisition in 2020, but a preliminary investigation has concluded that NVIDIA violated those conditions and antitrust laws. The announcement comes amid trade talks between the United States and China over tariffs and other issues in Madrid, Spain.
However, the specific details of how the law was violated were not made clear. The authorities stated that they had 'decided to conduct further investigations in accordance with the law,' but did not specify what corrective measures they would require NVIDIA to take.
Following the announcement by Chinese authorities, NVIDIA's stock price temporarily fell by about 2%. NVIDIA issued a statement saying, 'We comply with the law in all respects, and we will continue to cooperate with all relevant government agencies as we assess the impact of the export restrictions on competition in commercial markets.'
NVIDIA is caught in the middle of the US-China trade war over semiconductor exports to China. The US government has banned exports of NVIDIA's high-performance AI chips, including the H100, due to national security concerns.
US tightens restrictions on AI chip exports to China, making it difficult to export NVIDIA chips - GIGAZINE
In response, NVIDIA developed a redesigned chip called the H20 to comply with the regulations. There were reports that the H20 series would also be subject to the regulations, but an agreement was reached to resume sales of some chips, including the H20, by paying 15% of sales to the US government.
NVIDIA and AMD agree to pay 15% of semiconductor export sales to China to the US government - GIGAZINE
The move by Chinese authorities is seen as further increasing tensions over semiconductors between the United States and China and potentially complicating future trade negotiations.