China ends Google antitrust probe, shifts regulatory focus to NVIDIA
**China Ends Google Antitrust Probe, Shifts Regulatory Focus to NVIDIA**
*By Akash Pandey | Sep 18, 2025, 01:21 PM*
China has decided to end its antitrust investigation into tech giant Google, six months after the probe was launched, according to the Financial Times. This move comes amid escalating trade talks between Beijing and Washington, particularly revolving around TikTok.
It is important to note that Google has not yet been officially notified about the termination of the investigation.
### Details of the Google Antitrust Probe
The investigation, initiated in February by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation, targeted Google’s market dominance through its Android operating system. The probe, known locally as “zhongzhi,” examined how Google’s dominance affects Chinese smartphone manufacturers like OPPO and Xiaomi, which heavily rely on the Android platform.
### Strategic Shift in China’s Regulatory Focus
Ending the investigation into Google is widely seen as a positive gesture toward the United States, signaling Beijing’s willingness to engage in negotiations. A source familiar with the matter told the Financial Times, “Drop one case but seize the other. China is trying to narrow its retaliatory targets to make them more potent.”
Following the termination of the Google probe, China has shifted its antitrust regulatory focus toward NVIDIA, the world’s most valuable chipmaker. This pivot is believed to be a strategic move, potentially providing Beijing with leverage in ongoing U.S.-China trade discussions.
### TikTok Ban Extended Amid Trade Talks
Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump announced reaching an agreement with China over the sale of TikTok. This announcement came shortly after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that a “framework agreement” had been established regarding the app.
Despite this progress, President Trump signed an executive order to extend the TikTok ban for an additional three months. This extension marks the fourth delay of legislation intended to compel TikTok’s sale from its Chinese owner.
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China’s decision to end the Google antitrust investigation while focusing on NVIDIA highlights the evolving dynamics of U.S.-China trade relations, with regulatory actions increasingly intertwined with diplomatic negotiations.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/china-ends-probe-into-google-amid-trade-talks-with-us/story
