China on Tuesday announced an anti-monopoly investigation into US tech giant Google, as tensions escalate between the two economic superpowers after the latter imposed fresh tariffs on Chinese goods.
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) alleged that Google is “suspected of violating the Anti-Monopoly Law of the People’s Republic of China” and confirmed that a formal investigation has been launched.
However, further details about the allegations remain hidden.
Despite its global dominance, the US search engine has been facing restrictions in China since long back, where its core search engine and many of its services remain blocked by the country’s strict internet controls, often referred to as the “Great Firewall.”
The company pulled its Chinese-language search engine from the mainland in 2011, shifting operations to Hong Kong.
By 2014, China had completely cut off access to Google’s email service, Gmail.
Beijing also announced that it had added US fashion conglomerate PVH Corp, owner of brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein and biotech firm Illumina, to its list of “unreliable entities.”
This move was upheld by the commerce ministry, stating that both firms had “violated normal market transaction principles” and engaged in “discriminatory measures” against Chinese companies, news agency AFP reported.
It claimed that the move would, “safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, in accordance with relevant laws.”
Last September, China initiated an investigation into PVH over its alleged boycott of cotton from Xinjiang, a region where Beijing has been accused of widespread human rights violations.
The latest developments come in response to the United States’ decision on Saturday to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods, further heightening trade tensions.