China Opens Antitrust Probe of Qualcomm’s Autotalks Deal

The Qualcomm headquarters in San Diego, California.Photographer: Ariana Drehsler/Bloomberg

China has begun an investigation into a months-old Qualcomm Inc. acquisition, taking aim at yet another US technology giant before a pivotal meeting of the leaders of the world’s two largest economies.

The State Administration for Market Regulation has opened an antitrust probe into the takeover of connected-vehicle technology provider Autotalks, a deal announced in June. In a brief statementBloomberg Terminal, the watchdog said it would look into potential violations of the country’s anti-monopoly law in relation to the transaction. Qualcomm’s shares were little changed at 9:48 a.m. in New York.