In a significant development, China has decided to terminate its antitrust investigation into Google, signaling a strategic shift in its regulatory approach amid ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. The Financial Times reported on Thursday that this move reflects Beijing’s tactical redirection of focus towards Nvidia, leveraging regulatory scrutiny as a bargaining chip in bilateral talks. The decision to drop the probe into Google also conveys a message of flexibility to Washington, as tensions between the two nations continue to escalate. The investigation, initiated by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation in February, alleged that Google had violated the country’s anti-monopoly law, though specific details of the allegations were not disclosed. Google has not yet been formally notified of the decision to end the probe, and the company declined to comment on the matter. This development comes shortly after China accused Nvidia of similar antitrust violations, intensifying regulatory pressure on U.S. firms. The U.S.-China trade relationship has been strained over the past six months, with both sides imposing tariffs and engaging in disputes over platforms like TikTok. China’s recent actions, including the antitrust probes, underscore its increasing regulatory scrutiny of American companies operating within its borders.
Beijing drops Google probe, shifting focus to Nvidia in US trade talks, FT reports
