CPA sent the following letter to Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, and Minority Leader McCarthy regarding CPA’s support of the inclusion of a House-passed provision targeting certain companies complicit in forced labor in the final conference report of the China competition bill
Download the letter here.
Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, and Minority Leader McCarthy:
We write today in support of the inclusion of a House-passed provision targeting certain companies complicit in forced labor in the final conference report of the China competition bill. The House-passed provision, authored by Representative Jim Banks (R-IN), is critical to ensuring the U.S. government has the authority to punish criminal activity, uphold the rule of law, and protect human rights. Specifically, it requires the Administration to make a determination on sanctions of five companies in accordance with the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act (P.L. 116–145), as amended by section five of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (P.L. 117–78), and current law.
The provision states that the Secretaries of Treasury and State shall submit a determination and justification “…whether LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Hoshine Silicon Industry (Shanshan) Co., Ltd, Xinjiang Daqo New Energy Co., Ltd, Xinjiang East Hope Nonferrous Metals Co., Ltd, and Xinjiang GCL New Energy, each meets the criteria for designation…” The determination is required within 180 days of the bill being signed into law. To date, the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act, which was signed into law on June 17, 2020, has yet to be utilized. No sanctions have been imposed in accordance with the law, which requires the President to impose asset blocking sanctions on foreign persons complicit in atrocities in Xinjiang, specifically human rights violations related to the use of forced labor.
We are concerned that the Biden administration has failed to fully utilize the authorities Congress has granted to protect against forced labor goods in the American economy and punish human rights violators. Congress has a chance to take action now by including the Banks provision in the final China bill conference report and ensure the law is properly enforced by requiring certain sanctions determinations.
The companies listed in the Banks amendment are also listed on the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Entity List. Additionally, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized a shipment of 40.31 megawatts of solar modules manufactured by LONGi Green Energy Technology Co. in October 2021 due to concerns that LONGi used forced Uyghur labor in Xinjiang. These companies must be held accountable for violations of U.S. law and internationally recognized human rights. In the absence of political will from the White House to take the necessary action to ensure forced labor goods from China do not enter the U.S. market, Congress must continue to lead on this crucial issue.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.
Sincerely,
Zach Mottl, Chairman Michael Stumo, CEO
Coalition for a Prosperous America Coalition for a Prosperous America
