The ongoing antitrust trial against Google’s search engine “monopoly” is harming the US’s AI prospects, claims the company. As the trial reconvened on Monday, the tech giant argued that in order to stave off competition from China, the US needs Google in its “full form.”
The Department of Justice (DoJ) has called for Google to divest its assets, namely its Chrome browser and search data, in order to level the playing field for the company’s rivals. Following this, a federal judge ruled in August last year that the company held a monopoly in the internet search market, kickstarting the case in question.
In recent months, the AI race has intensified, with China rolling out a number of innovations to test the US’s existing market dominance. In January, DeepSeek landed and quickly shot to the top of the Apple and Google app stores. This was followed by Manus AI, allegedly the world’s first fully autonomous AI chatbot.
DoJ Proposal Threatens AI Progress, Google Warns
The DoJ’s proposal to break up Google’s search engine “monopoly” will significantly harm the US’s progress in the ongoing battle for AI supremacy, the company has argued. With the antitrust case reconvening on Monday, Google is set to argue that divesting its assets will “hamstring” innovation, with a particular focus on AI.
In a blog post on Monday, the company asserted that breaking up Google is not in the best interests of the US. Notably, it mentioned DeepSeek in the opening paragraph, as it appeals to President Trump’s desperation to get the upper hand on China, where AI is concerned.
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According to the statement: “DoJ’s proposal would also hamstring how we develop AI…That would hold back American innovation at a critical juncture. We’re in a fiercely competitive global race with China for the next generation of technology leadership, and Google is at the forefront of American companies making scientific and technological breakthroughs.”
Landmark Case Drawing to a Close, Verdict Looming
The case is the result of a DoJ investigation into whether or not Google has flouted antitrust rules in the US. The department maintains that the company has unfairly strangled competition to install itself as the de facto search engine in the US. It has called for the company to divest its flagship Chrome browser, and open its search data up to rivals. Google disputes the allegations.
Last year, a federal judge ruled in favor of the DoJ, kickstarting the landmark antitrust case. The ongoing trial will determine the consequences of that ruling, with the trial set to end on May 9, and a verdict expected in August.
During proceedings on Monday, DoJ attorney David Dahlquist also argued that Google would need strong measures imposed on it to discourage it from using its own AI products to further its search dominance.
Chinese Competition Could Force Trump’s Hand
In citing US innovation, and in particular the AI race, Google hopes to play on President Trump’s sympathies – as well as his antipathy towards China. It’s not exactly clear which steps the President could take to mitigate the punishment for Google, but with his last-minute TikTok reprieve in January, he has demonstrated a willingness to intervene where Big Tech is concerned.
The US and China are engaged in a hotly contested battle for AI supremacy, with no clear winner at present. In the last few months, a series of Chinese innovations has turned the sector on its head, where previously the US could lay claim to be the global frontrunners.
In an effort to stymie Chinese progress, Trump recently issued new restrictions on DeepSeek. Google will hope that, in his eagerness to unseat China in the AI stakes, the President throws his lot in with the company and ensures a favorable ruling come August.
