Trip.com Faces Antitrust Probe by Chinese Regulators

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Trip.com Group Limited, the Chinese travel booking company, is facing a class action lawsuit after the company was reportedly the subject of an antitrust probe by China's State Administration for Market Regulations (SAMR). The probe is based on allegations that Trip.com abused its market position and engaged in monopolistic practices. The news caused Trip.com's stock price to plummet in mid-January 2026.

Why it matters

The antitrust probe and class action lawsuit against Trip.com highlight the growing regulatory scrutiny of large tech companies in China, particularly those seen as wielding outsized market power. The case could have significant financial and reputational consequences for Trip.com, one of China's leading online travel platforms.

The details

According to the report, in September 2025, the market regulator in Zhengzhou summoned Trip.com for violations of rules against setting 'unfair restrictions' on merchants' transactions and prices. The SAMR probe was then announced in January 2026, causing Trip.com's stock price to drop over 17% on the news. The class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of investors who purchased Trip.com securities between April 2024 and January 2026, alleging the company failed to disclose material information during that period in violation of federal securities laws.

• On January 14, 2026, Bloomberg reported on the SAMR antitrust probe.
• On January 14, 2026, Trip.com's stock price fell $12.90 per ADS, or 17.05%, to close at $62.78 per ADS.
• On January 15, 2026, Trip.com's stock price fell a further $1.48 per ADS, or 2.35%, to close at $61.30.

What’s next

The judge in the class action lawsuit will decide on May 11, 2026 whether to allow the case to proceed as a class action.