China Approves Synopsys’ $35B Ansys Acquisition After US Eases Chip Design Software Restrictions

China's antitrust regulator has conditionally cleared Synopsys' landmark $35 billion purchase of Ansys, marking a pivotal moment in the semiconductor software industry. The approval follows Washington's quiet relaxation of export controls on chip design tools—a sector increasingly viewed through the lens of national security.

The deal, announced in January 2024, had already secured US and European regulatory nods before hitting a roadblock in May. That's when new American restrictions temporarily froze Synopsys' ability to sell its critical electronic design automation (EDA) software to Chinese firms. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) suspended its review in response.

Synopsys CEO Sassine Ghazi's initial June closing target gave way to geopolitical realities. But with recent US-China trade talks yielding modest concessions, the path cleared for SAMR's Monday decision. The merger now positions Synopsys to expand beyond Core chip design tools into broader simulation and analysis software markets.