BEIJING, Feb 5, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - US firm PVH, which owns Tommy Hilfiger and
Calvin Klein, said Wednesday it was "deeply disappointed" by China's decision
to place it on the country's sanctions list.

Beijing on Tuesday added the fashion group and biotech giant Illumina to its
list of "unreliable entities" -- part of a swath of measures against US
businesses in China in an escalating trade war between the two economic
superpowers.

In response, the New York-based firm told AFP it was "surprised and deeply
disappointed to learn of the decision from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce".

"PVH maintains strict compliance with all relevant laws and regulations and
operates in line with established industry standards and practices," they
said.

"We will continue our engagement with relevant authorities and look forward
to a positive resolution," they added.

PVH was already in Beijing's crosshairs.

Chinese officials in September said they were investigating its
"unreasonable" boycott of cotton from its Xinjiang region, where Beijing is
accused of widespread rights violations.

Biotech firm Illumina, in turn, also told AFP they "comply with all laws and
regulations".

"Illumina has a long-standing presence in China, where we serve the local
market through our advances in genomics that help improve human health," a
company spokesperson said.

"We are assessing this announcement with the goal of finding a positive
resolution."

China's commerce ministry on Tuesday accused the two US companies of
violating "normal market transaction principles" and taking "discriminatory
measures against Chinese enterprises", adding that the government's move
would "safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests".

Beijing also on Tuesday announced a probe into US tech giant Google over
violations of its anti-monopoly laws.

Authorities did not give further details about the allegations.

Contacted by AFP, a Google spokesperson declined to comment.