USA blocks solar products made in China’s Xinjiang region: Current Affairs Special Series

Team Adda247 and BankersAdda are here with a Current Affairs Special Series. In this series, candidates will be introduced to current affairs topics daily, which will not only improve their general awareness but also will ensure that the candidates do not lack in any current affairs topic. Today’s Current Affairs topic in India is the USA blocks solar products made in China’s Xinjiang region.

USA blocks solar products made in China’s Xinjiang region

The USA has prohibited some solar products made in China’s Xinjiang region, alleging human rights abuses. White House has announced steps to crack down on forced labour in the supply chain for solar panels from Xinjiang, including a ban on imports from a silicon producer there. 

US Customs and Border protection has just barred imports of silica-based products made by Hoshine Silicon Industry Company as well as goods made using those products. US Commerce Department also banned Hoshine Silicon Industry (Shanshan) Company and four other Chinese entities to trade with the USA. In addition, the commerce department will add six Chinese entities involved in the production of raw materials and components for the solar industry to blacklist barring them from access to the American market.

These latest moves could make it harder for the U.S. to meet renewable energy goals aimed at addressing climate change because about 45 % of the global supply of the polysilicon used to make photovoltaic cells for solar panels comes from the Xinjiang region. 

A statement from the White House said actions are in line with the recently concluded G7 Summit in Cornwall which committed to ensuring global supply chains are free from the use of forced labour. 

It added that the action is showing their commitment to imposing additional costs on China for engaging in cruel and inhumane forced labour practices and ensuring that Beijing plays by the rules of fair trade as part of the rules and regulation-based international order. It said that China’s forced labour practices run counter to American values as a nation and exposes their consumers to unethical practices.