.png){kind=logo}
China has reportedly ended its antitrust probe into Google’s Android operating system. The move comes as Beijing and Washington escalate talks on trade, semiconductors, and the future of TikTok, according to a report from the Financial Times.
The State Administration opened the Google case for Market Regulation (SAMR) in February. It examined whether the Android ecosystem had stifled opportunities for local smartphone manufacturers, such as Oppo and Xiaomi. The status of the case has been changed to ‘zhōng zhǐ’ and closed.
Insiders said Beijing is revising its regulatory policy. Although the Department of Justice had concentrated its use of antitrust law on multi-firm antitrust claims in the past, it is now shifting its focus to seeking more leverage in negotiations with foreign firms.
Analysts suggest that Google's consumer base in China is negligible; therefore, the decision is primarily symbolic. "Google has hardly any significant business in China - this is a symbolic gesture of goodwill," said Vey-Sern Ling, an analyst with Union Bancaire Privee.
While the Google probe is over, NVIDIA is now facing greater regulatory pressure. Earlier this week, SAMR accused the company of violating antitrust law in its $7 billion acquisition of Mellanox Technologies, which was conditionally approved in 2020.
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) also ordered major companies such as ByteDance and Alibaba to cease testing and purchasing NVIDIA's RTX Pro 6000D chip. The product, made available for the first time on the Chinese market only two months ago, had already been undergoing large-scale verification before the regulators intervened.
If violations are confirmed, NVIDIA may be fined between 1% and 10% of its sales from the previous year. Beijing has also initiated an anti-dumping investigation into US semiconductors, including Texas Instruments products.
These regulatory moves coincide with high-level US-China trade negotiations. Delegations met in Madrid for three days of talks on tariffs, export controls, and a framework for TikTok's divestment. President Donald Trump is set to address a TikTok deal with President Xi Jinping on Friday.
Google still makes money in China through advertising and cloud services for overseas markets. By withdrawing the Android probe under NVIDIA's pressure, Beijing signals flexibility and strategic pressure in the midst of developing trade discussions.
Also Read: Oracle Stock Jumps 5% on Preliminary US-China TikTok Deal and Project Texas Boost
