DHS Expands Ban on Imports from Chinese Firms Over Forced Labor Allegations

The Department of Homeland Security has extended its import ban to include products from two Chinese companies accused of using forced labor in Xinjiang. This move is part of the broader US effort to prevent goods linked to human rights abuses from entering the country.

The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday a new ban on importing goods from two Chinese companies, citing their involvement in forced labor practices in Xinjiang. The companies targeted include a steel manufacturer and an artificial sweetener maker.

This action represents a significant expansion of US efforts to prevent products associated with human rights abuses from entering the country. The move marks the first time a China-based steel company and an aspartame sweetener business have been singled out by US law enforcement under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

"Today's actions reaffirm our commitment to eliminating forced labor from US supply chains and upholding our values of human rights for all," said Robert Silvers, undersecretary of Homeland Security for policy. The federal law, which President Joe Biden signed in late 2021, followed accusations of human rights abuses by Beijing against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, claims the Chinese government denies.

Silvers also highlighted that since June 2022, the entity list has grown to include 75 companies accused of using forced labor. Two newly added companies, Baowu Group Xinjiang Bayi Iron and Steel Co. Ltd and Changzhou Guanghui Food Ingredients Co. Ltd, exemplify the broadening scope of enforcement.

(With inputs from agencies.)