China Drops Antitrust Case Against Google as U.S.–China Talks Focus on TikTok and Nvidia

Beijing has unexpectedly dropped its antitrust investigation into Google, just as negotiations between the United States and China intensify. At the center of these high-stakes talks are TikTok and U.S. chipmaker Nvidia, both now flashpoints in the strained relationship between the two powers.

Google Escapes Chinese Pressure According to sources cited by the Financial Times, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation decided to suspend its probe into Google. The move, known in Chinese as “zhongzhi,” indicates the case is put on hold without official closure. Google has yet to receive any formal documents confirming the suspension.

The timing suggests Beijing may be signaling flexibility as discussions with Washington gain momentum.

TikTok: Between Security and “Chinese Characteristics” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking after meetings in Madrid, warned that the looming September 17 deadline could disrupt TikTok’s operations in America. He said negotiators may extend the timeline by up to 90 days to reach a final agreement. Bessent noted that the deal could preserve “Chinese characteristics” of the app, which Beijing views as a form of soft power. “They care about Chinese features of the app. We don’t. We care about national security,” Bessent emphasized. Former President Donald Trump went even further, suggesting that China might retain a stake in TikTok. He revealed he planned to discuss the matter directly with President Xi Jlnping, noting that TikTok helped his reelection last year and that his personal account now boasts 15 million followers. Meanwhile, the White House recently launched its official TikTok account.

Any deal would still need approval from the Republican-led Congress, which passed a law in 2024 requiring TikTok to be sold amid fears of Chinese access to U.S. user data.

Beijing Targets Nvidia in Chip Showdown At the same time, China tightened its grip on U.S. chip giant Nvidia. The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered tech firms to halt testing and cancel purchases of the RTX Pro 6000D, a GPU custom-built for China to comply with U.S. export restrictions.

Before the order, Chinese companies had planned to buy tens of thousands of these units. Beijing also accused Nvidia of violating antitrust law, announcing the move just as U.S. and Chinese officials met in Madrid. Bessent called the timing “poorly chosen,” though analysts noted it could give Beijing leverage at the negotiating table. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang struck a conciliatory tone: “There are many places we cannot reach yet. We’ll remain patient while governments on both sides manage the tension.”

Political Rhetoric Escalates U.S. lawmakers, however, are hardening their stance. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson called China an “enemy” on CNBC’s Squawk Box, accusing Beijing of stealing U.S. intellectual property and ignoring international trade agreements.

👉 While China has eased pressure on Google, it has escalated its confrontation with Nvidia. The fate of TikTok now looms as the critical test that could determine whether U.S.–China relations move toward compromise — or veer into deeper conflict.

#china , #tiktok , #NVIDIA , #USChina , #Geopolitics

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