US Forced Labor Tariffs on Chinese Companies Prompt Chinese Countermeasures

In late July, the United States expanded its forced‑labor sanctions by adding 43 Chinese firms to the Entity List under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, citing alleged use of slave labor in Xinjiang. The move was part of a Section 301 investigation led by the U.S. Trade Representative and was framed by U.S. officials as protecting American workers and human dignity.

China responded on the following Wednesday, calling the U.S. listings illegal and announcing a set of “countermeasures.” The Ministry of Commerce said it would tighten export controls on dual‑use items related to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) destined for the United States, place six U.S. entities—including Applied DNA Sciences and the Responsible Business Alliance—on a Chinese blacklist, and launch a national‑security investigation into imported printing and copying equipment. Both sides accused the other of violating international law and using the forced‑labor issue as a tool in a broader trade rivalry.

The dispute highlights escalating trade tensions between Washington and Beijing, with potential repercussions for supply‑chain participants in apparel, agriculture, aluminum, and high‑tech sectors.