China launches investigation into US’ biggest and most-valuable chip company

China’s market regulator is investigating US chipmaker Nvidia for suspected violations of the country’s anti-monopoly law. This move is likely announced in retaliation for recent US restrictions on China’s semiconductor industry. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is also investigating whether Nvidia violated commitments made during its 2020 acquisition of Mellanox Technologies. The acquisition deal was approved by the Chinese regulator on these conditions which Nvidia has allegedly violated. However, the specific details of Nvidia’s alleged anti-monopoly violations in China remain unclear. Since the announcement, the chipmaker’s shares have reduced by over 2%.