China probes US fashion firm PVH over Xinjiang products | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

China has launched an investigation into a major US fashion firm. PVH allegedly discriminated against products from the country’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The US company is the parent of the Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands.

A statement from the Chinese Commerce Ministry says PVH is suspected of boycotting products from the far-western region, seriously damaging the rights and interests of Chinese companies.

The firm has 30 days to explain if it had engaged in such practices in the past three years.

It could be fined or banned from trading with China, depending on the probe’s results.

The investigation is seen as an attempt by Beijing to counter trade restrictions by the administration of US President Joe Biden.

Washington has tightened export controls on China-bound US semiconductors. It also plans to raise tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles on Friday.