China’s market regulator has started a preliminary investigation into Nvidia, accusing it of possibly violating anti-monopoly laws just as trade talks with the U.S. are under way. Specific alleged violations include discriminatory practices and dumping of certain U.S.-origin chips into the Chinese market. The announcement came during the Madrid trade negotiations, adding pressure to both sides just when a framework agreement (e.g. for TikTok) was being floated. Lithium-ion battery, AI hardware, semiconductor firms, and supply chains are paying attention because regulatory rulings here could ripple widely in tech. Nvidia shares dropped by about 2% on the news before partially recovering. The probe underlines how tech firms are increasingly caught at the heart of geopolitical rivalry.