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China urges Washington to drop tariffs on Xinjiang products, calling recent board‑of‑trade talks a step toward stability amid ongoing forced‑labour concerns.
China has formally requested that the United States remove tariffs imposed on Xinjiang‑origin goods under its “forced labour” rules, and it praised recent board‑of‑trade discussions as a move toward greater stability [2].
Key takeaways
In a diplomatic communication dated June 12, 2026, China formally urged the United States to drop the tariffs it had applied to a range of Xinjiang‑origin commodities under the “forced labour” provision [2]. The Chinese statement framed the request as part of a broader effort to stabilize trade ties and highlighted recent board‑of‑trade talks as evidence of constructive engagement. The Chinese side characterized the discussions as a “step toward stability,” suggesting that the dialogue could pave the way for easing trade frictions.
While Beijing seeks tariff relief, international human‑rights groups continue to document extensive forced‑labour systems in Xinjiang. Reports indicate that up to 2.5 million Uyghurs may be engaged in state‑mandated work, spanning sectors such as cotton, polysilicon, and battery materials [1]. These allegations underpin the U.S. measures, which target products believed to be produced under coercive conditions. The contrast between China’s diplomatic overtures and the persistent scrutiny of Xinjiang’s labor regime underscores the complexity of the issue.
The request reflects China’s strategy to mitigate economic pressure while portraying recent trade talks as a positive development. However, the underlying human‑rights concerns—particularly the alleged forced‑labour system affecting millions of Uyghurs—remain a sticking point for the United States and other Western governments. Until those concerns are addressed, the tariffs are likely to stay in place, and the broader bilateral relationship will continue to be tested by divergent views on labor rights and regional stability.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 2 outlets · Jun 12, 2026 · How we report
The investigation was launched to address the failure of trading partners to impose or effectively enforce prohibitions on the importation of goods made with forced labor, which the U.S. argues burdens its commerce.
The USTR identified Canada, Ecuador, the European Union, Indonesia, Mexico, and Pakistan as economies that have forced labor prohibitions but have failed to enforce them effectively.
China opposes the tariffs, viewing them as protectionist tools, but has signaled willingness to participate in a 'Board of Trade' to negotiate reciprocal tariff reductions.