China has announced that it has launched an anti-monopoly investigation into Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc., and placed two US firms—PVH Corp and Illumina —on its “unreliable entity list.”
The move came just moments after new US tariffs on Chinese goods took effect, marking a sharp escalation in trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
China’s Commerce Ministry said PVH Corp, which owns brands such as Calvin Klein, and biotechnology firm Illumina were added to the list for allegedly taking “discriminatory measures against Chinese enterprises” and causing harm to the “legitimate rights and interests” of Chinese companies.
The designation subjects the firms to restrictions on trade, investment, and business operations in China.
Meanwhile, China’s State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) confirmed it had initiated an anti-monopoly investigation into Google, accusing the tech giant of violating the country’s competition laws.
“We have launched an investigation into Google in accordance with the law,” the agency said in a statement, though it did not provide further details on the specific violations under scrutiny.
Despite Google’s search engine being blocked in China, the company maintains business ties with local partners, including advertisers.
Google, PVH, and Illumina have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Boluwatife Enome
Follow us on: