Bloomberg Businessweek Google Not Required to Sell Chrome in Court Antitrust Ruling
Sep 2, 2025
Mandeep Singh, Bloomberg Intelligence's Global Head of Technology Research, unpacks a landmark ruling that spares Google from selling Chrome, examining its implications for the tech industry. Peter Atwater, a financial expert, discusses the state of U.S. trade policy and the economic landscape, shedding light on the K-shaped economy. Wendy Cutler, from the Asia Society, analyzes shifting alliances among India, China, and Russia, highlighting the geopolitical tension and its impact on global trade dynamics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Chrome Divestiture Avoided
- Judge Amit Mehta ruled Google need not divest Chrome, avoiding the harshest remedy in the DOJ search monopoly case.
- The decision preserves Chrome's strategic value for deploying generative AI and keeps Google's distribution advantage intact.
Search Market Has Shifted But Advantage Persists
- The search market has expanded with generative AI and entrants like ChatGPT, reducing Google's pure query share.
- However, integration of Chrome with Google's AI keeps its overall competitive advantage large.
Browser Is A Strategic AI Asset
- Ownership of Chrome amplifies Google's lead in generative AI by controlling a key distribution channel.
- Removing Chrome would have severely hindered Google's ability to deploy AI even if it had strong LLMs and chips.
