In a resolute move to address concerns regarding forced labor, the United States has expanded its restrictions on Chinese imports by adding three new companies to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List. The newly blacklisted entities, namely Xinjiang Tianmian Foundation Textile Co Ltd, Xinjiang Tianshan Wool Textile Co. Ltd, and Xinjiang Zhongtai Group Co. Ltd, have brought the total number of restricted companies to 27.
These companies, all based in Xinjiang, have been accused of actively participating in the recruitment and transportation of Uyghurs and other persecuted minorities for forced labor purposes. The region of Xinjiang has been under international scrutiny for its treatment of Uyghur Muslims and other minority communities.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized the United States’ commitment to not tolerating any businesses involved in forced labor, stating, “We do not tolerate companies that use forced labor, that abuse the human rights of individuals in order to make a profit.”
The restricted companies operate primarily in the textile and chemical sectors. Xinjiang Tianmian Foundation Textile Co Ltd specializes in various textile products, including yarn production, while Xinjiang Tianshan Wool Textile Co. Ltd deals in wool and cashmere garments. Xinjiang Zhongtai Group Co. Ltd focuses on chemical and building materials, such as PVC production.
Under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, introduced in 2021, imports from companies listed on the Entity List are strictly prohibited, unless importers can substantiate that their products were not manufactured using forced labor.
Allegations of labor camps targeting Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang have been a persistent concern for U.S. authorities, though Beijing vehemently denies such claims. The U.S. State Department has also updated its advisory to businesses, stressing the need to swiftly identify and mitigate risks associated with forced labor and human rights abuses in their supply chains, especially in the context of “ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang.”
This move by the United States underscores its commitment to addressing human rights violations and forced labor practices, even in the face of diplomatic tensions with China.
