China has strongly criticised the United States after Washington expanded restrictions on imports from dozens of additional Chinese companies over alleged human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region, rejecting the allegations as unfounded and accusing the US of economic coercion.
In a statement issued on Saturday, China’s Ministry of Commerce said the inclusion of Chinese companies on a US list of entities alleged to use forced labour had “no factual basis”. The ministry argued that the measures disrupt the stability of global supply chains and infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese businesses.
The ministry further accused the United States of using its domestic legislation to impose unilateral sanctions on Chinese companies. It described the measures as “a clear act of economic coercion”, saying they had harmed the lawful rights of the affected firms.
The latest response from Beijing followed a decision announced by the United States on Friday to prohibit imports from 43 additional Chinese companies. The companies were added to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List, which restricts the import of goods connected to what the United States says are human rights abuses and an ongoing genocide involving Uyghur and other minority groups in China’s Xinjiang region.
The US measures represent a further expansion of restrictions under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which is designed to prevent goods linked to alleged forced labour in Xinjiang from entering the American market. The newly listed companies are now subject to import restrictions under the legislation.
China, however, continued to reject the allegations surrounding conditions in Xinjiang. According to the Ministry of Commerce, China opposes forced labour and maintains that the Xinjiang region is stable, prosperous and free of any “forced labour”. The ministry said the US accusations lack factual support and should not be used as a basis for trade restrictions against Chinese enterprises.
Beijing also called on Washington to stop what it described as “attacking and smearing” Xinjiang over the issue. The ministry urged the United States to end what it characterised as unfair pressure on Chinese companies, while warning that China would take action to safeguard the rights and interests of the affected businesses.
The latest exchange underscores continuing tensions between the world’s two largest economies over trade and human rights issues. While the United States has justified the import restrictions by citing alleged abuses involving Uyghur and other minority groups in Xinjiang, China has consistently denied those claims and rejected the use of sanctions against its companies.
In its statement, the Ministry of Commerce reiterated that the US actions not only damage the interests of Chinese enterprises but also have broader implications for international commerce by disrupting global supply chains. Beijing maintained that the measures are based on unilateral US laws rather than internationally accepted facts, and reaffirmed its opposition to what it described as unjustified economic pressure.
China concluded by warning that it would take the necessary steps to protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies affected by the latest US restrictions, while urging Washington to reverse its approach towards Xinjiang-related trade measures.
