US bars imports from BGI Group, BGI Genomics and MGI under forced-labour law from 29 Oct; BGI rejects the allegations.
The US Department of Homeland Security said on 28 October it had added three related companies, Shenzhen BGI Technology (BGI Group), BGI Genomics and MGI Tech, to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List. From 29 October, US Customs will presume goods made by them involve forced labour and bar them unless importers rebut the presumption. DHS says the firms conducted genetic testing in Xinjiang with the regional government that was used to facilitate the recruitment and transfer of forced labour. BGI Group said on 28 October it firmly rejects all the allegations, is not involved in forced labour, and that its US business is very small so the listing will not materially affect operations. MGI reportedly said it would seek removal, and the Chinese embassy in Washington said the accusations lack factual basis. A Commerce Ministry spokesperson said on 29 October the US measures had no factual basis, that Washington was "unrepentant" in adding biomedical firms after earlier listings, that the move departs from the two leaders' consensus and seriously undermines stable trade ties, and that China will take necessary measures to protect its interests.
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