The U.S. Expands Chinese Import Ban Over Uyghur Labor
The ban prohibits imports from companies allegedly linked to Uyghur forced labor in China as part of the U.S.’s ongoing efforts to eradicate forced labor from supply chains and uphold global labor rights.
In a new Chinese import ban, the United States has expanded its list of companies prohibited from importing goods into the U.S. due to alleged involvement with Uyghur forced labor in China, according to an announcement by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
This action restricts goods produced by specific companies from entering the United States due to their involvement in forced labor practices targeting Uyghur minorities.
The new banned companies are:
These three companies join the numerous others already on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List (UFLPA), which restricts the import of goods linked to what the U.S. government describes as an ongoing genocide of minorities in China’s western Xinjiang region.
“Through these actions, DHS is increasing its focus on seafood, aluminum, and shoes - sectors that play an important role in Xinjiang’s economy - and ensuring goods made with forced labor are kept out of the U.S. market,” the DHS stated.
U.S. officials assert that Chinese authorities have established labor camps for Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang, a claim Beijing denies.
In response to the latest U.S. ban, the Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu called the forced labor allegations “an egregious lie propagated by anti-China forces and a tool for U.S. politicians to destabilize Xinjiang and contain China’s development.”
Regarding the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, Liu added, “It not only severely infringes on the human rights of people in Xinjiang but also destabilizes global industrial and supply chains and sabotages international trade rules.”
The latest addition to the Chinese import ban aligns with the Advancing Worker Empowerment, Rights, and High Labor Standards Globally memorandum that President Biden had signed in November 2023.
The memorandum represents the first whole-of-government approach to advance workers’ rights, which guides federal agencies engaged abroad to promote internationally recognized labor rights. This includes DHS’ work in implementing the UFLPA.
This is not the first addition to the Chinese import ban. In June 2023, the interagency Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF), led by DHS, added two more Chinese companies, Xinjiang Zhongtai Chemical Co., Ltd., and Ninestar Corporation along with eight of its Zhuhai-based subsidiaries, to the UFLPA Entity List.
Moreover, in May 2024, 26 PRC-based textile companies were added to the list.
FLTEFT is taking these actions as part of the United States’ commitment to eradicating forced labor from the U.S. supply chain and holding accountable those responsible for the ongoing genocide and human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other religious and ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).
“The Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force will continue to hold companies accountable for perpetuating human rights violations in Xinjiang,” said Robert Silvers, Chair of the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force and Under Secretary for Policy.
“The use of forced labor offends our values and undercuts American businesses and workers. Forced labor is now a top-tier compliance issue, and businesses must know their supply chains. DHS and the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force will continue their vigilant approach to implementing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.”
To learn more about the Chinese import ban and how it could affect your business, please reach out to one of our trade professionals.