China to probe Google over alleged anti-trust violations

China is set to launch an investigation into Google over alleged anti-trust violations.

According to CNBC, the country’s state administration for market regulation (SAMR) announced the probe in a statement on Tuesday.

The SAMR said it would probe the tech giant for potentially breaching China’s anti-monopoly laws.

Although details remain limited, the investigation coincides with China’s decision to impose tariffs on US imports.

From February 10, 2025, China’s finance ministry will enforce a 15 percent tariff on American coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG), while duties on US crude oil, farm equipment, and certain vehicles will rise by 10 percent.

The new tariffs come in response to the US economic sanctions, including a 25 percent tariff on all imports from Mexico and most Canadian goods, along with a 10 percent duty on Chinese imports.

President Donald Trump had justified the tariffs as a tool for economic leverage and also to combat the fentanyl crisis.

He claimed Chinese chemicals are used to manufacture fentanyl, while Mexican cartels and Canadian labs facilitate its distribution.

In retaliation, Canada had imposed a 25 percent tariff on $107 billion worth of US goods, while Mexico introduced countermeasures on American imports.

However, following negotiations, Trump agreed to a 30-day suspension of tariffs on Canada and Mexico but maintained the trade measures against China.

Google has been under increased regulatory pressure in recent times.

In August, the tech giant lost a lawsuit filed by the US department of justice (DOJ) in 2020, which accused it of monopolising the general search market by creating strong barriers to entry.

Following the ruling, the DOJ, in November last year, pushed for Google to divest its Chrome browser and prohibit exclusivity agreements with firms like Apple and Samsung.

Google is also being investigated by the UK’s competition and markets authority (CMA) to determine whether it holds “strategic market status” under the country’s new law.