US Plans Ban On Xinjiang Cotton Products: Report

The administration of US President Donald Trump is weighing a ban on some or all products made with cotton from the Xinjiang over alleged human rights violations, the New York Times has reported.

The potential ban which could be announced as soon as Tuesday comes amid reports of use of forced labour on minority Muslims in Xinjiang, the report said.

The scope of the order is unclear, the Times reported, including whether it would include products containing cotton from Xinjiang that are shipped from other countries. But the region is used by major global clothing brands as a source of cotton and other textiles.

The measure, called a withhold release order, would be issued by US Customs and Border Protection. The White House and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

US lawmakers had proposed a legislation in March aimed at preventing goods made from forced labor in Xinjiang region from reaching the United States. (Reuters)