WASHINGTON, D.C. — Alphabet Inc.’s Google is locked in tense negotiations with the Trump administration in a bid to halt the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) escalating efforts to dismantle the tech giant, sources familiar with the matter confirmed Tuesday. The discussions, which include direct appeals to former President Donald Trump’s inner circle, mark a critical juncture in a years-long antitrust battle that could reshape the future of Big Tech.
According to a Bloomberg report, Google’s legal and lobbying teams have intensified outreach to Trump-aligned officials, arguing that a breakup would destabilize the U.S. tech sector, harm national security interests, and embolden foreign rivals like China. The DOJ, under Attorney General Jeff Landry, has pushed to split Google’s core search, advertising, and YouTube businesses into separate entities, alleging monopolistic practices that stifle competition.
“Forcing a breakup would be catastrophic for innovation and America’s global leadership in AI,” a Google executive, speaking anonymously, told reporters. “We’re prepared to make significant concessions, including expanded data-sharing agreements and funding for domestic semiconductor manufacturing, to resolve this constructively.”
The Trump administration’s hardline stance has drawn mixed reactions. Critics accuse the former president of leveraging the antitrust case to pressure Google over long-standing grievances, including alleged anti-conservative bias in search results—a claim the company denies. Meanwhile, progressive lawmakers warn that any settlement must include enforceable safeguards against anti-competitive behavior.
Tech Industry on Edge as Regulatory Storm Builds
The showdown coincides with broader upheaval in the tech sector. Earlier this week, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced a staggering $40 billion investment to build three new chip plants in Arizona, a move seen as bolstering U.S. supply chain resilience amid tensions with China. The expansion, slated to create 10,000 jobs, underscores how geopolitical and regulatory pressures are reshaping corporate strategies.
Google’s lobbying efforts reportedly emphasize similar themes, linking its fate to broader economic priorities. Insiders say the company has dangled promises of AI infrastructure investments in battleground states and partnerships with defense contractors to sweeten its case.
Yet skepticism persists. “Google isn’t too big to fail—it’s too big to trust,” said Sarah Miller, executive director of the American Economic Liberties Project. “Piecemeal commitments won’t address the systemic harm caused by its dominance.”
What’s Next?
With the DOJ’s final decision expected by late April, analysts speculate Google could face a fate similar to AT&T’s 1984 breakup unless a settlement is reached. Trump’s influence looms large; his public criticism of “Big Tech tyranny” has rallied his base, even as legal experts question the feasibility of unwinding Google’s interconnected services.
For now, all eyes remain on Washington. As one tech lobbyist bluntly put it: “This isn’t just about antitrust. It’s a power struggle over who controls the future—Silicon Valley or the state.”
Source: Bloomberg