China Accuses Nvidia of Breaking Anti-Monopoly Laws as US and China Hold Trade Talks
China’s market regulator has accused US chipmaker Nvidia of violating the country’s anti-monopoly laws, escalating tensions in the ongoing tech and trade dispute between Washington and Beijing.
While the regulator did not reveal details of Nvidia’s alleged violations, it confirmed that the investigation remains active. The announcement came as US and Chinese officials entered a second day of high-stakes trade talks in Spain, with discussions covering semiconductors and the future of TikTok in America.
Trade Talks Focus on TikTok and Tariffs
The talks, held in Madrid, were led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. Both sides are attempting to prevent further escalation in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
After the meeting, Bessent described the talks as “very good discussions,” noting that TikTok dominated the agenda. He added that broader trade negotiations would resume in about a month at a different location.
US President Donald Trump later hinted that a breakthrough had been reached, suggesting a deal may save TikTok from a nationwide ban. The app faced a looming deadline to either find a US buyer or be blocked entirely.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“We reached a deal on a certain company that young people in our country very much wanted to save. They will be very happy! I will be speaking to President Xi on Friday. The relationship remains a very strong one!!!”
Nvidia at the Center of US-China Chip Battle
China launched its Nvidia investigation in December 2024, widely seen as retaliation against US restrictions on semiconductor exports. Washington has tightened rules on advanced chip sales to Chinese firms, aiming to curb Beijing’s access to high-performance processors used in AI and supercomputing.
The Madrid talks were expected to cover which chips—including those made by Nvidia—would still be permitted for export into China. This issue remains one of the most contentious flashpoints in the US-China trade relationship.
TikTok Deadline and Trump’s Shift in Stance
The TikTok deadline was set to expire on Wednesday, though many expected another extension—the fourth so far. Trump initially pushed hard for a ban during his first term, citing national security concerns over parent company ByteDance, but has since softened his position.
During the 2024 election, Trump gained significant traction on the platform, which shifted his view. In August, the White House even launched an official TikTok account, signaling a change in approach.
TikTok remains hugely popular, with around 170 million users in the United States alone, making it one of the most widely used apps in the country.
Outlook
With the tariff truce between the US and China set to expire on 10 November, both nations face pressure to strike a more lasting deal. The truce had temporarily reduced import taxes that had climbed to more than 100% on key goods.
While Trump celebrated progress, analysts warn that trade, technology, and data security disputes remain unresolved, with Nvidia and TikTok symbolizing the broader struggle for dominance in global tech markets.