# China asks US to lift forced‑labour tariffs, praises trade talks

**Published:** 2026-06-12T02:15:30.174Z  
**Topic:** U.S. proposes fresh tariffs on 60 economies over forced labor trade practices  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/a64a765e-9d96-4bcd-a5bc-2ca2e8c160aa

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**  
- China’s diplomatic note asks the U.S. to suspend the “forced labour” tariff regime on Xinjiang products [2].  
- Beijing described the latest board‑of‑trade talks as constructive and a sign of improving bilateral trade relations [2].  
- International observers continue to link Xinjiang’s labor practices to forced labour, citing large‑scale coercive work programs [1].  
- The U.S. tariffs were originally imposed to curb products tied to alleged forced‑labour conditions in the region [2].  
- Analysts note that the dispute remains unresolved, with both sides maintaining their positions on human‑rights standards [1][2].  

## Beijing’s request and the trade dialogue  

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.  

## Ongoing concerns over forced‑labour practices  

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.  

## Why it matters  

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.

## Sources
1. Northamericanews — [China continues to persecute its Uyghur populace](https://www.northamericanews.net/news/278415406/china-continues-to-persecute-its-uyghur-populace)
2. WebIndia123 — [China urges US to drop "forced labour" tariffs, hails board of trade talks as step toward stability](https://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/Business/20260608/4459927.html)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "China asks US to lift forced‑labour tariffs, praises trade talks", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/a64a765e-9d96-4bcd-a5bc-2ca2e8c160aa