Trade War: China Launches Investigations into Google and Other U.S. Companies
Amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and China, Beijing has opened antitrust investigations into major American tech giants, including Google, as part of its response to new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.


The investigations, which also target Nvidia and Intel, come just hours after the U.S. imposed a sweeping 10% tariff on Chinese imports, signaling a potential new phase in the ongoing trade conflict.
On Tuesday, President Trump’s tariffs took immediate effect, applying a 10% tax on a wide range of Chinese goods entering the U.S. in a bid to address what he described as unfair trade practices by China. In response, China’s Ministry of Finance swiftly retaliated with tariffs of its own, imposing 15% taxes on U.S. coal and natural gas, and 10% on crude oil, farm equipment, and cars. Despite American oil accounting for just 1.7% of China’s oil imports in 2024, these tariffs still represent a substantial $6 billion in trade. Similarly, U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to China, valued at $2.41 billion in 2024, are also subject to tariffs.
However, China’s actions went beyond economic retaliation. The Chinese government announced an anti-monopoly investigation into Google, and added Calvin Klein’s parent company, PVH, along with biotech firm Illumina, to its corporate blacklist. These actions were seen as part of a broader strategy by Beijing to gain leverage over the U.S. amid mounting tensions.
The investigation into Google and other tech companies, such as Nvidia and Intel, is viewed as a way for China to strike back at American giants and assert pressure on President Trump’s administration. Beijing’s move comes as the U.S. continues to apply tariffs, marking a significant escalation in the trade war between the two countries.
The Trump administration has justified these tariffs by placing part of the blame for America’s fentanyl crisis on China, further complicating relations. During a speech at the White House, President Trump announced that if China did not take action to stop the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., tariffs would increase. While China dismissed the matter as "America's problem," it promised to challenge the tariffs at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
In contrast, America’s neighbors, Canada and Mexico, have managed to secure temporary pauses in tariff increases. Canada promised to introduce new technology and personnel at its borders to help combat fentanyl smuggling, while Mexico committed to stationing additional National Guard troops along its northern border.
As the trade war intensifies, European leaders are also closely monitoring developments. Although they have expressed a willingness to negotiate, they have warned that they are prepared to take action if Trump extends tariffs to the European Union (EU), following hints that the U.S. might target the 27-nation bloc next.