Credit: Unsplash
China retaliates against new U.S. tariffs with an antitrust probe into Google and fresh trade restrictions.
In a swift response to new tariffs imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, China has launched an antitrust investigation into Google, intensifying trade tensions between the two economic superpowers. The investigation, led by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), will examine whether the U.S. tech giant engaged in monopolistic practices, despite its search services being blocked in China since 2010.
According to an official statement from SAMR, the probe was initiated under China’s Anti-Monopoly Law, with regulators focusing on Google’s operations related to digital advertising and other business activities within the country.
This move follows Trump’s recent decision to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, a policy he justified as a measure against Beijing’s alleged failure to curb illegal drug exports. In response, China not only launched the Google investigation but also imposed retaliatory tariffs, including a 15% levy on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas, along with a 10% tariff on oil and agricultural equipment.
BIG: China Launches Antitrust Investigation on Google!
This comes at a time when the U.S. is prepared to impose 10% tariffs on China and launch a new round of export controls in limiting the export of Nvidia's H20 to China pic.twitter.com/oD4zN5lNjG
— Ray Wang (@rwang07) February 4, 2025
Additionally, Chinese authorities have placed major American companies, including PVH Corp. (the parent company of Calvin Klein) and gene sequencing firm Illumina, on a restricted entities list. China has also introduced new export controls on tungsten-related materials, signaling broader economic countermeasures.
This latest escalation highlights the fragile nature of U.S.-China trade relations, which had recently shown signs of stabilization. As both nations take firm stances in their ongoing economic dispute, global markets will be closely watching for potential ripple effects.
For now, China’s investigation into Google marks a significant pushback against U.S. trade policies, underscoring the continued geopolitical and economic friction between the two nations.
