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Mexico Closes Antitrust Case Against Google, No Fines Imposed

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Mexico’s Federal Economic Competition Commission (Cofece) announced on Friday the closure of its multi-year antitrust investigation into Google, clearing the tech giant of allegations related to monopolistic practices in the country. The probe, initiated in 2020, focused on Google’s digital advertising services both on its search engine and third-party websites.

Cofece’s investigation examined whether Google’s advertising platform design gave it an unfair advantage over competitors in the digital advertising market. The watchdog concluded that advertisers were not compelled to purchase ads on third-party sites to advertise on Google’s search engine, effectively negating claims of monopoly abuse.

A Google spokesperson welcomed the decision, stating, “We appreciate COFECE’s decision recognizing that our products give advertisers the freedom and control to use our tools in the ways that best suit their needs.”

Had Cofece found Google guilty, the company could have faced fines up to 8% of its annual revenue in Mexico. Although Alphabet does not publicly disclose specific revenue for Mexico, its “other Americas” region, which includes Latin America, generated approximately $20.4 billion in 2024.

Google continues to face antitrust scrutiny worldwide. In the United States, courts have ruled that Google holds unlawful monopolies in online search and advertising technologies. U.S. regulators have pushed for measures including data sharing and divestitures of key advertising assets to foster competition.

China Postpones Approval of $35 Billion Synopsys-Ansys Merger Amid Rising Trade Tensions

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China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has delayed its approval of the $35 billion merger between U.S. software companies Synopsys and Ansys, according to a Financial Times report on Friday. The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump tightened export controls targeting China’s access to advanced semiconductor design software and other sensitive technologies.

The delay underscores the escalating trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies, even as they reached a tentative trade truce during talks in London earlier this week. The current dispute follows China’s previous curbs on mineral exports, prompting the Trump administration to respond with additional restrictions. These include stricter controls on exports of semiconductor design software — a key area of Synopsys’s business — as well as jet engines and various advanced goods destined for China.

The Synopsys-Ansys merger had reached the final stage of the Chinese regulatory process and was widely expected to receive approval by the end of June. However, U.S. actions in late May banning chip design software sales to China added new complications to the review, according to sources cited by the Financial Times.

Neither Synopsys nor Ansys have publicly commented on the reported delay. Reuters, which also attempted to verify the report, said Synopsys declined to comment, while Ansys and Chinese regulators have not responded to inquiries.

The Trump administration’s latest export controls form part of a broader strategy aimed at limiting China’s access to technologies that could enhance its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities and, potentially, its military strength. Washington has also revoked export licenses previously granted to certain suppliers, significantly tightening restrictions on U.S. technology shipments to China.

In a separate development, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last month required Synopsys and Ansys to divest certain assets to address domestic antitrust concerns related to the merger. Synopsys CEO has previously confirmed that the company has obtained regulatory clearances for the deal in all jurisdictions except China.

The $35 billion merger, if completed, would combine two of the most important players in electronic design automation (EDA) and engineering simulation software — sectors crucial for the development of next-generation semiconductors and complex industrial systems.

Google Faces Potential Major Fine in Mexico Over Antitrust Allegations

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Mexico’s antitrust authority, the Federal Economic Competition Commission (Cofece), is expected to deliver a ruling by June 17 on whether Google engaged in monopolistic practices in the country’s digital advertising market. If found guilty, the tech giant could face a fine of up to 8% of its annual revenue in Mexico, which would represent one of the largest penalties Cofece has ever imposed.

Although Google’s parent company, Alphabet, does not disclose country-specific revenues, its “Other Americas” segment, which includes Latin America, generated $20.4 billion in revenue in 2024. This makes Google the most significant company yet targeted by Mexico’s competition regulator.

Cofece’s investigation into Google Mexico began in 2020 and moved into its trial phase in 2023, allowing Google the opportunity to present counter-evidence. The regulator alleges that Google effectively built a monopoly in Mexico’s digital advertising sector. As part of its investigation, Cofece also sought Google’s financial information from Mexico’s tax authority (SAT). An oral hearing with Google, considered one of the final steps in the process, was held on May 20.

Under Mexican law, the maximum fine for monopolistic conduct is capped at 8% of a company’s annual revenue. Should Cofece rule against Google, the company may seek an injunction to delay the penalty while a specialized court reviews the decision.

This case aligns with broader global regulatory scrutiny of Google’s business practices. In the United States, Google has faced multiple antitrust cases. Last year, a U.S. district judge ruled that Google holds an unlawful monopoly in online search and search advertising. In another case, the U.S. Justice Department accused Google of illegally dominating online advertising technology markets and has suggested the company divest parts of its Google Ad Manager business.

Domestically, Google has also faced political friction in Mexico. President Claudia Sheinbaum has filed a lawsuit against Google over its renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” for U.S. Google Maps users following a decision under former U.S. President Donald Trump. Mexican lawmakers from the ruling Morena party have been urging Cofece to resolve the antitrust case against Google since last year.

Cofece and Google have declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.