Automakers face Senate questions on suppliers using forced labor in China
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The Senate Finance Committee is launching an investigation into whether major automakers are using parts made with forced labor from the Xinjiang region of China.
Committee Chair Senator Ron Wyden said automakers cannot and should not sell cars in the U.S. that include components mined or produced in Xinjiang unless due diligence confirms that components are not linked to forced labor. Under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, the government assumes anything made even partially in the Chinese manufacturing hub of Xinjiang is produced with forced labor and cannot be imported into America. However, automakers can land exemptions if they have clear and convincing evidence the goods were made free of forced labor.
The automakers asked to scrutinize their relationships with suppliers included General Motors (NYSE:GM), Ford (F), Tesla (TSLA), Honda Motor (HMC), Volkswagen AG (OTCPK:VLKAF), Stellantis NV (STLA), Toyota Motor (TM), and Mercedes-Benz Group AG (OTCPK:MBGAF).
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