Google is facing mounting international scrutiny as multiple countries launch antitrust investigations and impose economic measures against the tech giant. The U.S. government initiated these legal challenges, accusing Google of monopolizing the general search market by establishing formidable barriers to entry. In August, the company lost a lawsuit filed by the U.S. government in 2020, leading to increased regulatory actions worldwide.
On Tuesday, China's State Administration for Market Regulation announced a new antitrust investigation into Google for alleged violations of its anti-monopoly laws. This move comes amid rising tensions between China and the United States over trade policies. In a related development, China's finance ministry revealed plans to levy a 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas imports from the U.S., effective February 10. Additionally, China will impose a 10% increase in duties on American crude oil, farm equipment, and certain vehicles.
Simultaneously, Google's business practices are under the microscope in the United Kingdom. The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority is examining whether Google holds "strategic market status" as defined by a new law. This investigation aims to determine if Google has used its market position to engage in exclusionary agreements with major third-party companies such as Apple and Samsung.
In the United States, the legal challenges continue, with the Department of Justice pressing for Google to divest its Chrome browser following a ruling in November. This legal pressure highlights the broader concerns over Google's market dominance and its impact on competition.
China's decision to initiate an antitrust probe into Google is seen as part of a broader pattern of regulatory scrutiny that the company is experiencing globally. The tariffs and investigations reflect an intensifying environment of economic and legal challenges that Google must navigate in various international jurisdictions.