Beijing, China – In a sharp escalation of trade tensions between Beijing and Washington, China has launched an anti-monopoly investigation into Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc., while blacklisting two major US firms—PVH Corp and Illumina.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry announced that PVH Corp, the owner of popular brands such as Calvin Klein, and biotechnology company Illumina have been added to its “unreliable entity list.” The move follows allegations that both firms engaged in discriminatory practices against Chinese enterprises, harming their legitimate rights and interests. As a result, these companies now face restrictions on trade, investment, and business operations within China.

Meanwhile, the State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) confirmed it had opened an anti-monopoly probe into Google, citing violations of the country’s competition laws. “We have launched an investigation into Google in accordance with the law,” the agency stated, though it did not disclose further details on the specific violations under review.

Although Google’s search engine remains blocked in China, the tech giant continues to engage with Chinese businesses, particularly through advertising partnerships. The latest regulatory crackdown raises further uncertainties for American corporations operating in China, especially amid the ongoing tariff dispute between the two economic superpowers.

The timing of China’s retaliatory measures is significant, coming shortly after new US tariffs on Chinese goods took effect. The latest developments suggest a further deepening of trade hostilities, with both nations adopting tougher stances against each other’s corporate interests.

As tensions continue to rise, industry analysts warn that these actions could have long-term implications for global trade, particularly for multinational corporations caught in the crossfire of the US-China trade war.