In 2021, multiple Western countries imposed sanctions on China after concern was raised over human right abuses of minority groups in Xinjiang.

Beijing says it’s investigating fashion retailer PVH Corp, the owner of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, for refusing to source cotton from the Xinjiang region, in a move that could lead to sanctions on an American company with major business interests in China.

Beijing said it is investigating PVH Corp. in a move that may block the American clothing firm from selling its products in the Chinese market, as tit-for-tat trade curbs between the U.S. and China rachet up.

China said it will investigate US apparel maker PVH Corp. for suspected boycotting of cotton sourced from its Xinjiang region, a probe that could lead to punishment for the parent company of Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein.

The country's commerce ministry accused the Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger owner of "unjustly boycotting" Xinjiang cotton without proper cause.

The ministry said that the firm is "unjustly boycotting" Xinjiang products "without a factual basis." China's commerce ministry said it will investigate PVH, the parent company of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger,

A US policy, which took effect in 2022, bans imports of goods mined, produced or manufactured wholly or in part in Xinjiang.