US bans Chinese steel and food-additives firms over Xinjiang human rights
Latest additions to Uygur Forced Labour Prevention Act’s entity list show American drive to rid its supply chain of forced labour presses on
The US is banning imports from two more Chinese companies over alleged human-rights abuses involving Uygurs, it was revealed on Wednesday, the latest development in America’s drive to eliminate goods made with forced labour from its supply chain.
The companies joining the Department of Homeland Security’s Uygur Forced Labour Prevention Act (UFLPA) entity list are Baowu Group Xinjiang Bayi Iron and Steel, a subsidiary of the world’s largest steelmaker, and Changzhou Guanghui Food Ingredients, a food-additives manufacturer. The restrictions take effect on October 3.
Wednesday’s announcement marks the first time that steel and aspartame companies have been added to the list, which also includes entities in the agriculture, apparel, batteries, chemicals, electronics, household appliances, plastics and polysilicon sectors.
Now the total number of sanctioned mainland China-based companies stands at 75, according to the department.
“No sector is off-limits,” said Robert Silvers, an undersecretary for policy at Homeland Security.
