China Says Qualcomm Hid Its Autotalks Deal — Latest News October 12, 2025

China Says Qualcomm Hid Its Autotalks Deal — Latest News October 12, 2025

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has accused American semiconductor giant Qualcomm of violating antitrust and disclosure laws by acquiring Israeli automotive chipmaker Autotalks without notifying Chinese regulators.

According to a statement released on October 12, 2025, SAMR said Qualcomm finalized the Autotalks acquisition in June 2025 but failed to notify authorities — a step legally required for major international deals involving technology markets active in China. The regulator stated that Qualcomm “did not fulfill its pre-merger reporting obligation,” which constitutes a breach of the country’s competition laws.

This development comes amid intensifying U.S.–China technology tensions, as Beijing tightens its scrutiny of American tech companies operating within Chinese borders. The case against Qualcomm is seen as a significant test of China’s willingness to enforce regulatory oversight on major foreign corporations.

So far, Qualcomm has not issued any official response to the allegations. The company initially announced plans to acquire Autotalks in 2023, but the deal was delayed due to multiple regulatory reviews. It was ultimately completed in mid-2025. The acquisition reportedly gave Qualcomm access to Autotalks’ advanced vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technology, used in next-generation autonomous and connected vehicles.

Chinese officials allege that Qualcomm’s lack of transparency could distort fair market competition, especially since Qualcomm already dominates China’s smartphone and automotive chip sectors. SAMR’s report added that undisclosed acquisitions by such firms could threaten local innovation and create unfair advantages in high-tech markets.

Industry analysts warn that if the investigation confirms the violations, Qualcomm could face heavy fines or operational restrictions in China — a crucial market for its global business. Following the announcement, Qualcomm’s shares dipped slightly as investors expressed concern about potential regulatory actions.

The situation adds new strain to already fragile U.S.–China relations, which have been marked by escalating disputes over technology exports, chip production, and trade sanctions. In recent months, Beijing has increased oversight on several U.S. firms, including Apple, Intel, and Microsoft, under similar regulatory claims.

Economists suggest that this case could have broader implications for the global semiconductor supply chain, as any disruption to Qualcomm’s operations may impact smartphone and automotive industries worldwide.

China’s regulator emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and aims to determine whether Qualcomm deliberately concealed information about the acquisition. The outcome could reshape how global tech companies handle mergers involving Chinese markets.

The October 12, 2025 announcement underlines Beijing’s determination to hold foreign corporations accountable under local laws. Analysts believe the move signals a new era of stricter oversight in China’s technology sector — one that could redefine global corporate compliance standards.