China announces investigation into Google
China’s antitrust regulator has announced the initiation of an investigation into US tech giant Google. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
China's antitrust regulator has initiated an investigation into potential violations by US tech giant Google. This announcement, made on Tuesday morning, aligns with the escalating trade tensions resulting from US President Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose tariffs on Chinese goods.
The antitrust authority, known as SAMR, did not provide specific details regarding the investigation or explicitly connect it to the tariffs. Google’s operations in China are limited; its global services are blocked and its attempts to expand have been obstructed due to government backing of domestic competitors, cybersecurity issues, and difficulties in meeting Chinese content moderation standards amidst Western calls to confront Beijing’s “censorship.”
Google has a history of facing regulatory scrutiny around the world, including in the United States. Last August, a federal court in the US determined that Google is a monopolist that takes advantage of its market dominance to suppress competition related to its search engine.
In Europe, Google has been subjected to substantial fines from the European Union's regulatory body and various member states for antitrust infringements. Earlier this month, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority began an investigation into Google’s advertising practices.
In response to Trump's imposition of additional 10% tariffs on Chinese goods, which were officially part of a wider set of emergency measures concerning illegal immigration and drug trafficking primarily targeting Mexico and Canada, Beijing acted almost immediately. Minutes after the tariffs took effect on Tuesday, China announced duties on American hydrocarbons, agricultural machinery, and selected vehicle types. Additionally, it lodged a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization.
Moreover, the Chinese government has implemented restrictions on the export of certain critical minerals—tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, and indium—necessary for advanced manufacturing. However, it has avoided directly linking these restrictions to the ongoing trade conflict.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
The antitrust authority, known as SAMR, did not provide specific details regarding the investigation or explicitly connect it to the tariffs. Google’s operations in China are limited; its global services are blocked and its attempts to expand have been obstructed due to government backing of domestic competitors, cybersecurity issues, and difficulties in meeting Chinese content moderation standards amidst Western calls to confront Beijing’s “censorship.”
Google has a history of facing regulatory scrutiny around the world, including in the United States. Last August, a federal court in the US determined that Google is a monopolist that takes advantage of its market dominance to suppress competition related to its search engine.
In Europe, Google has been subjected to substantial fines from the European Union's regulatory body and various member states for antitrust infringements. Earlier this month, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority began an investigation into Google’s advertising practices.
In response to Trump's imposition of additional 10% tariffs on Chinese goods, which were officially part of a wider set of emergency measures concerning illegal immigration and drug trafficking primarily targeting Mexico and Canada, Beijing acted almost immediately. Minutes after the tariffs took effect on Tuesday, China announced duties on American hydrocarbons, agricultural machinery, and selected vehicle types. Additionally, it lodged a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization.
Moreover, the Chinese government has implemented restrictions on the export of certain critical minerals—tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, and indium—necessary for advanced manufacturing. However, it has avoided directly linking these restrictions to the ongoing trade conflict.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
