China Accuses Qualcomm of Failing to Notify Regulator After Autotalks Acquisition

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said that Qualcomm admitted completing its acquisition of Israeli chip designer Autotalks in June without notifying Chinese authorities, in apparent breach of the country’s antitrust laws. SAMR said that Qualcomm was informed as early as March 2024 that the deal required its approval, but the U.S. firm responded that it would not pursue the required application. Despite that, the acquisition went ahead without the regulator’s knowledge, according to the Chinese agency.

The revelation comes shortly after China formally launched an antitrust investigation into Qualcomm, focusing on whether the company violated merger notification requirements and anti-monopoly rules. Qualcomm’s shares fell by over 5 percent following the announcement amid growing trade and regulatory tensions between Washington and Beijing. The company has not publicly responded.

The case is now being watched closely by global tech and regulatory observers. Some see it as part of a broader escalation in China’s scrutiny of foreign tech firms, especially those in strategic areas like semiconductors, telecommunications, and automotive electronics. Critics warn that such enforcement tactics may deepen uncertainty for foreign investors in China’s tech sector, while supporters argue that tougher oversight is necessary to ensure market fairness and sovereignty.