China says to probe Google over anti-monopoly violations

The logo of Google is seen outside Google Bay View facilities during the Made by Google event in Mountain View, Calif., U.S., Aug. 13, 2024. Reuters-Yonhap

China on Tuesday said it would probe U.S. tech giant Google over violations of anti-monopoly laws after Washington slapped 10 percent levies on Chinese goods.

Beijing's State Administration for Market Regulation said the U.S. tech giant was "suspected of violating the Anti-Monopoly Law of the People's Republic of China."

It has "launched an investigation into Google in accordance with the law" as a result, the administration said in a statement.

Beijing also said it would add U.S. fashion group PVH — which owns Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein — and biotech giant Illumina to a list of "unreliable entities."

The move would "safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, in accordance with relevant laws," China's commerce ministry said in a statement.

"The above two entities violate normal market transaction principles, interrupt normal transactions with Chinese enterprises, and take discriminatory measures against Chinese enterprises," it added.

China in September said it was investigating PVH for "unreasonably boycotting" cotton from its Xinjiang region, where Beijing is accused of widespread rights violations.

The United States on Saturday announced sweeping measures against major trade partners, with goods from China facing an additional 10 percent tariff on top of exisiting duties.

Trump said the measures aimed to punish countries for failing to halt flows of illegal migrants and drugs including fentanyl into the United States. (AFP)