# US-China trade dispute over Xinjiang forced labor

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-china-trade-dispute-over-xinjiang-forced-labor
> Updated: 2026-10-29T06:53:24.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 2.

The United States administration announced a ban on imports from three Chinese genomics companies, including BGI Group, BGI Genomics, and MGI Tech. The Department of Homeland Security added these entities to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List, alleging they participated in government-led genetic testing used to monitor and repress ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang region. Federal officials stated these activities facilitated the recruitment and transfer of forced labor.

BGI Group and its affiliates rejected the allegations, stating their work is for civilian and scientific purposes. China’s Ministry of Commerce condemned the measures, characterizing them as “political manipulation” and “bullying under the guise of protecting human rights.” Beijing denied the forced labor allegations, asserting that ethnic groups in Xinjiang enjoy legal labor protections, and accused the United States of using human rights concerns to implement protectionist policies.

## Claims

- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security added BGI Group, BGI Genomics, and MGI Tech to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List. (reported by 17 sources)
- The companies are alleged to have collected genetic material used to track persecuted ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. (reported by 14 sources)
- BGI Group rejected the allegations and stated it has not engaged in any form of forced labor. (reported by 8 sources)
- The Treasury Department proposed new restrictions on U.S. investments in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and supercomputing in China last week. (reported by 8 sources)
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection will apply a rebuttable presumption that goods from these companies are prohibited from entering the U.S. starting October 29. (reported by 6 sources)
- The U.S. government suspended a travel authorization program for Chinese nationals visiting the Northern Mariana Islands. (reported by 2 sources)
- The Pentagon designated Confucius Institutes as a national security threat. (reported by 1 source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-29: China condemns US measures regarding Xinjiang

China has condemned US Department of Homeland Security measures regarding Xinjiang, accusing Washington of using human rights claims to pursue protectionist policies and targeting Chinese tech and biomedicine.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-condemns-us-measures-regarding-xinjiang

### 2026-10-28: US bans imports from BGI Group and affiliates over forced labor allegations

The U.S. has banned imports from Chinese genomics firms BGI Group, BGI Genomics, and MGI Tech, alleging ties to forced labor and mass surveillance of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-bans-imports-from-bgi-group-and-affiliates-over-forced-labor-allegations

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Cite as: US-China trade dispute over Xinjiang forced labor. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-china-trade-dispute-over-xinjiang-forced-labor