WASHINGTON, D.C.: In a significant move against what is claims are human rights abuses, the Department of Homeland Security has announced a ban on imports from two Chinese companies accused of using forced labor in Xinjiang.
The ban targets Baowu Group Xinjiang Bayi Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. and Changzhou Guanghui Food Ingredients Co. Ltd., marking the first time a steel manufacturer and an artificial sweetener producer have been included in such actions.
This decision is part of the broader U.S. strategy under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, aimed at preventing products linked to human rights violations from entering the country. “Today’s actions reaffirm our commitment to eliminating forced labor from U.S. supply chains,” stated Robert Silvers, Undersecretary of Homeland Security for Policy. “No sector is off-limits.”
The law, signed by President Biden in late 2021, emerged in response to widespread allegations of human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. While the Chinese government denies these allegations, claiming they are fabricated, the U.S. maintains that these practices violate fundamental human rights.
This approach signifies a shift in the U.S.-China trade relationship, increasingly intertwining national security concerns with human rights issues. Beijing has criticized the U.S. for using human rights as a pretext to hinder its economic growth.
Previously, the enforcement of this law primarily focused on products like solar panels, tomatoes, cotton, and apparel. Recently, however, the scope has expanded to include sectors such as aluminum and seafood, reflecting the ongoing challenge of forced labor in global supply chains.
Since the establishment of the entity list, which now includes 75 companies, the U.S. has emphasized the responsibility of importers to ensure their supply chains are free from forced labor. “This law has changed the dynamic,” Silvers noted, highlighting that enforcement measures can coexist with normal trade practices.
