The regulator says the deal would give the combined company too much power, hurt competition and raise prices for consumers. It comes as a global shortage of chips wreaks havoc on the economy.
The global shortage of chips could hurt production of iPads and Macs, costing Apple $3 billion to $4 billion in revenue, in what is the latest example of a company being hit by supply constraints.
The microchips used in cars are in short supply. Taiwanese Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua tells NPR that Taiwan's cutting-edge chipmakers have ramped up production to meet auto industry demand.
Wuhan Hongxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. was supposed to be one of China's most advanced chipmakers. Now it's bankrupt — a big flop at a time when the country seeks technological self-reliance.
