The State Administration for Market Regulation of China announced the findings on Monday (15/9). However, the agency did not specify how the US chipmaker had violated the law. They stated that the investigation would continue.
Nvidia has not yet commented on the information.
China initiated the antitrust investigation into Nvidia in 12/2024. Analysts considered the move a retaliation by Beijing against Washington's restrictions on China's chip industry.
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A phone displaying the Nvidia logo placed on a computer motherboard, photographed on 6/3/2023. Photo: Reuters |
A phone displaying the Nvidia logo placed on a computer motherboard, photographed on 6/3/2023. Photo: Reuters
The market regulator stated that the chip manufacturer is also suspected of violating commitments made during its acquisition of Israeli chip design company Mellanox Technologies, according to the terms outlined in the 2020 deal.
Under China's antitrust law, businesses can face penalties ranging from 1% to 10% of their annual sales from the previous year. In the fiscal year ending 26/1, Nvidia's revenue in China reached 17 billion USD, representing 13% of its total revenue.
The conclusion of China's preliminary investigation comes as the country is engaged in tariff negotiations with the US in Madrid, Spain. The topic of chips is expected to be included in the discussions.
Last week, China's Ministry of Commerce launched two additional investigations into chip discrimination and dumping in trade with the US. This followed Washington's addition of 23 Chinese companies to a restricted entity list on 12/9, citing national security and foreign policy concerns. Two of the companies are accused of purchasing chip manufacturing equipment for leading Chinese semiconductor company SMIC.
Phien An (Reuters)
