China probes Qualcomm with antitrust investigation in the latest asymmetric trade negotiation salvo — Autotalks acquisition risks fouling anti-monopoly laws

China’s regulatory body for business, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMD), has announced an antitrust investigation is now under, looking into the purchase of Israeli connected-vehicle technology company, Autotalks, by Qualcomm earlier this year, according to Bloomberg. With the deal now months old and having cleared all regulatory approval in the U.S., this move is largely seen as a punitive measure towards America as part of the ongoing trade negotiations and ahead of the proposed…