China is forcing it's manufacturers off Official Android domestically. Perhaps HarmonyOs or similar ends up with most of the developing world since Android for export phones won't be the best bang for the buck. That would put a dent in Google's ability to push API updates and further deteriorate their ability to push Google services instead of common AOSP interfaces with developers targeting a wide market.

He also stated that he chose the current platform based on pricing, and hinted that costs being equal might have made him choose otherwise.

You answered your own question.