Why Qualcomm is facing an antitrust probe in China

**Why Qualcomm is Facing an Antitrust Probe in China**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 12, 2025, 06:21 PM*

**What’s the story?**
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has launched an antitrust investigation into US-based semiconductor giant Qualcomm. The probe follows Qualcomm’s admission that it failed to notify Chinese authorities about its acquisition of Israeli connected-vehicle technology provider Autotalks, a deal completed in June 2025. This lack of notification came despite SAMR’s clear order that the transaction required approval from the Chinese market regulator.

**Regulatory oversight**
Earlier, in March 2024, SAMR informed Qualcomm that its deal with Autotalks needed regulatory approval. However, Qualcomm responded later that month stating it would not take further action to seek that approval. Despite this, Qualcomm proceeded with the acquisition in June without notifying Chinese regulators. As a result, SAMR initiated an antitrust investigation into Qualcomm for possible violations of China’s anti-monopoly law related to the transaction.

**Market position**
Qualcomm’s presence in China remains significant. The company supplies chips to major Chinese smartphone manufacturers, including Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo, and OnePlus. With a market capitalization of approximately $165.72 billion, Qualcomm continues to be a leading player in the global semiconductor industry. Although the ongoing antitrust probe and a recent dip in share prices pose short-term challenges, Qualcomm maintains a diverse client base spanning various technology sectors.

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Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/qualcomm-faces-antitrust-probe-in-china-over-israeli-firm-acquisition/story