WASHINGTON—The U.S. State Department warned top American companies including Walmart Inc, Apple Inc, and Amazon.com Inc over risks faced from maintaining supply chains associated with human rights abuses in Chinas western Xinjiang province, according to a letter seen by Reuters on 26 June.

“It is critical that U.S. companies and individuals be aware of the large-scale human rights abuses perpetrated by the PRC government in Xinjiang,” Keith Krach, Undersecretary of State for economic growth, energy, and the environment wrote on July 1.

“Businesses should evaluate their exposure to the risks that result from partnering with, investing in, and otherwise providing support to companies that operate in or are linked to Xinjiang,” he said in the letter also sent to trade groups.

The United States is seeking to ratchet up pressure on China at a time of heightened tensions over that countrys treatment of Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang and Beijings new national security law for Hong Kong.

Workers walk by the perimeter fence of a labor camp in Xinjiang on Sept. 4, 2018. (Thomas Peter/Reuters)

It also follows a Wednesday advisory by the U.S. government that said companies doing business in Xinjiang or with entities using Xinjiang labor could be exposed to “reputational, economic, and legal risks.”

In a call with reporters, Krach said the complex nature of supply chains was making companies vulnerable to potential risks and urged them Read More – Source