US Expands Ban on Imports from China Over Forced Labor Concerns

Washington, Nov 23, 2024 – The United States announced on Friday that it is expanding its ban on imports from dozens of China-based companies, citing concerns over forced labor practices. The new additions bring the total number of companies on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List to 107, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Around 30 companies, ranging from those in the metals industry to food production, have been added to the list, meaning goods wholly or partially made by these firms will be restricted from entering the U.S. The companies were found to either source materials from China’s Xinjiang region or collaborate with the local government to recruit and transfer workers, including Uyghurs, out of Xinjiang.

The U.S. Trade Representative’s office cited evidence that these companies were involved in exploiting forced labor, particularly in industries such as agriculture, aluminum production, and the mining and processing of metals like copper, gold, and nickel. Among the newly sanctioned companies are entities linked to China’s major electric vehicle battery manufacturer, CATL, and the company Gotion, which were flagged earlier this year by a bipartisan U.S. congressional committee for their ties to businesses in Xinjiang.

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, signed into law in 2021, aims to prevent products made with forced labor from entering the U.S. market. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai emphasized that companies exploiting workers would be held accountable, stating, “We will enforce our laws to address forced labor and prevent companies that violate workers’ rights from benefiting from the U.S. market.”

This move comes as the U.S. continues to hold China accountable for its treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region, where Beijing is accused of detaining over a million people in so-called “re-education” camps, though China strongly denies these claims.

The new restrictions will take effect on November 25, 2024.