US bans imports from 30 more Chinese firms over forced labour in Uyghur regions

The United States imposed new import bans on products from approximately 30 Chinese companies, accusing them of using forced labour involving Uyghur minorities, according to a government notice released on Friday.

The restrictions cover a range of products, including tomato paste, walnuts, gold, and iron ore. These actions are part of the US government’s broader effort to prevent goods produced with forced labour from entering the country.

The companies were added to the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act Entity List, which blocks imports linked to alleged human rights violations and ongoing genocide in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

US authorities accuse Chinese officials of operating internment camps for Uyghurs and other minority groups in Xinjiang, though Beijing has denied these claims.

The latest additions bring the total number of companies on the list to more than 100 since the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act was signed into law in December 2021.

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Twenty-three of the newly added companies are in the agricultural sector. Others mine, smelt and process metallic materials including copper, lithium, beryllium, nickel, manganese and gold.

“Today’s enforcement actions make it clear – the United States will not tolerate forced labour in the goods entering our markets,” Robert Silvers, U.S. Homeland Security undersecretary for policy, said in a statement. “We urge companies to take responsibility, know their supply chains, and act ethically.”

With inputs from agencies.