The US Senate has unanimously passed a bill banning imports from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, saying that forced labor is widespread.
With the prospect of being signed by President Biden in the near future, the United States is increasing pressure on China because of human rights issues.
On the 16th, the US Senate banned the import of forced labor from the autonomous region into the United States, saying that forced labor is widely practiced in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, and evidence that the import is not due to forced labor on the company side. We have unanimously passed a bill that requires the submission of such items.
So far, the United States has suspended imports of some of the cotton products and processed agricultural products produced in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, alleging that they were made by forced labor, but this bill covers all items. increase.
It is also expected to affect Japanese companies that have exported products produced in the autonomous region to the United States.
The bill is expected to be passed soon after being signed by President Biden.
On the 6th of this month, the Byden administration announced a diplomatic boycott that will not send government officials to the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, saying that "genocide" that harms groups such as ethnic groups with the intention of destroying it continues in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. , Increasing pressure on China because of human rights issues.
On the other hand, the Chinese side has denied the US side's claim that forced labor is being carried out, and a backlash is expected.