US Expands Uyghur Forced Labor Import Ban to 43 More Chinese Firms

This latest enforcement action brings the total number of restricted entities to 187, signaling a sharp escalation in trade friction under the Trump administration. The listings target companies accused of sourcing materials from Xinjiang or collaborating with government-run labor programs. Among the newly sanctioned are major players like TBEA Co, a manufacturer of transformers and solar-grade polysilicon, and Shandong Gold Mining, which operates the region's largest gold mine.

The supply chain impact extends to consumer goods and green technology. The list now includes Hunan Aihua Group, a supplier of capacitors for electronics, and Chacha Food, a snack producer with a significant footprint in U.S. retail chains like Walmart and Costco. Companies involved in the electric-vehicle battery supply chain, such as Xinjiang Tianhongji Technology, also face new barriers to entry. Under the current federal rules, importers must provide clear and convincing evidence that goods are free of forced labor to bypass the presumption of exclusion.

Beijing has dismissed the allegations as unfounded, with the Chinese Commerce Ministry pledging to take necessary measures to protect its corporate interests. Representatives from the Chinese embassy in Washington reiterated that local law prohibits forced labor, describing the U.S. sanctions as unilateral and politically motivated. Despite inquiries, none of the 10 companies contacted by reporters provided immediate comment on the restrictions or the specific allegations regarding their Xinjiang operations.