China has opened a probe into Nvidia over suspicions that the US chipmaker broke anti-monopoly laws around a 2020 deal, taking aim at the artificial intelligence heavyweight as Washington ramps up sanctions.

The State Administration for Market Regulation opened an investigation into the company’s recent behaviour as well as the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of Mellanox Technologies, the government said in a statement on Monday. Beijing gave approval for the deal four years ago, on the condition that Nvidia not discriminate against Chinese companies.

Bloomberg