US Limits Uniqlo Imports... Accused of Using Xinjiang Uyghur Cotton Amid 'Human Rights Abuses' in China

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] It was confirmed on the 19th that the United States has banned the import of Uniqlo clothing from Japan. This is because some of Uniqlo's clothing was found to be made from cotton produced in the Xinjiang Uighur region of China. The Xinjiang Uighur issue, which has sparked human rights abuse controversies, has emerged as a risk for Japanese companies as well.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun on the 19th (local time), the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. customs authority, banned the import of Uniqlo men's shirts that arrived through the Los Angeles port on the 1st.

CBP reportedly cited the reason that the clothing was made from cotton produced in the Xinjiang Uighur region of China.

Previously, since the Donald Trump administration, the U.S. has restricted imports of cotton produced in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, where human rights abuses have been alleged, and products made using that cotton.

Uniqlo claimed that the cotton used in their products was produced in Australia, the United States, Brazil, and other countries, and requested the lifting of the import ban.

However, CBP countered by pointing out insufficient production processes and records, stating that Uniqlo did not provide sufficient evidence to prove that the products were not made through forced labor.

Fast Retailing, Uniqlo's parent company, said in a statement on the same day, "We deeply regret the decision by the U.S. authorities," and added, "We only use cotton confirmed to have no issues such as forced labor in the production process."

However, Uniqlo's sales in the North American region are minimal, so the business impact appears to be minor.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.