Reuters reported on Thursday (22nd) that the US Senate Finance Committee (US Senate Finance Committee) asked eight major automakers, including General Motors (GM-US), Tesla (TSLA-US), Ford Automobile (F-US) and Honda Motor answer questions about their supply chains in China, investigating whether these companies use forced labor in Xinjiang, China to make products.
U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden sent a letter to the CEOs of major automakers asking questions about Chinese supply chains, stating that “it is critical for automakers to carefully review all of their suppliers’ ties to Xinjiang.” .
Also receiving inquiry letters are Toyota Motor, Volkswagen, Chrysler parent company Stellantis (STLA-US) and Mercedes-Benz. The letter mentioned that unless a thorough investigation proves that auto parts have nothing to do with forced labor in Xinjiang, automakers cannot and should not sell vehicles in the United States that contain components mined or produced in Xinjiang.
The report pointed out that Wei Deng’s main purpose is to investigate whether these car manufacturers have canceled or reduced orders to these suppliers due to the use of raw materials, minerals, processing or component manufacturing related to Xinjiang.
Weeden cited a new report earlier this month by researchers at Britain’s Sheffield Hallam University, which said that increased scrutiny is required at every part, from raw material extraction and processing to the manufacture of car components, to ensure No products of Uyghur forced labor.
GM said on the same day that the company actively monitors its global supply chain and conducts extensive and thorough investigations, especially if it detects or becomes aware of a potential violation of law, agreement or policy. The company added that supplier contracts expressly prohibit the use of any “products supplied to GM that are subject to forced or involuntary labor, employee abuse or corrupt practices.” As for the other automakers did not respond to this.
The U.S. banned forced labor imports from Xinjiang in June in Washington’s response to Beijing’s forced labor on China’s Uyghur Muslim minority, which the U.S. has labeled genocide. Beijing denies any disrespect for human rights in Xinjiang, saying the vocational training center was established to curb terrorism, separatism and religious radicalism.
