EU Regulators Hit Pause on Nvidia's Record ARM Acquisition Probe
European antitrust regulators temporarily halt their investigation into Nvidia's massive $40 billion bid for chip designer ARM while awaiting additional information. The pause comes shortly after the US Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit to block the landmark deal.
European antitrust regulators temporarily halt their investigation into Nvidia’s planned acquisition of British chip designer ARM as they await additional information from the companies. The European Commission officially stops the clock on its previous deadline, a delay that has become common since the COVID-19 pandemic as companies struggle to gather necessary data amid lockdown restrictions and staff shortages.
This pause in the EU probe follows a major setback in the United States, where the Federal Trade Commission recently sues to block the $40 billion deal. The FTC argues against the combination of the world's biggest maker of graphics and artificial intelligence chips with the prominent UK chip designer.
The proposed acquisition faces significant global regulatory scrutiny, with the EU competition watchdog previously warning that the deal could push up prices, reduce choice, and stifle innovation. In addition to the EU and US actions, the British antitrust agency also opens a full-scale investigation into what stands as the largest ever semiconductor deal.