The spotlight on Chinese drone giant DJI intensifies as Republican leaders on the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) issue a new statement condemning the company over forced labor allegations. This statement follows reports of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) halting imports from DJI, citing concerns about forced labor violations under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). The CBP’s decision adds to a series of challenges DJI faces in maintaining its presence in the US market.
Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) have been particularly vocal, stating, “For years CCP-drone manufacturer DJI has been rightfully blacklisted by the US government for actively aiding the CCP in carrying out surveillance for their genocidal crimes against Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Now we have discovered that DJI is not only aiding this genocide but also forcing Uyghur slave labor in Xinjiang to manufacture the very drones used to surveil the human rights abuses against them in direct violation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.”
The lawmakers emphasized the broader security concerns they believe DJI poses to the United States, alleging that the company is “advancing the capabilities of the Chinese military, carrying out human rights abuses, using slave labor, and spying on Americans.” Their statement also called for a reduction in US reliance on DJI, urging the swift passage of the Countering CCP Drones Act to strengthen domestic drone manufacturing capabilities.
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The allegations and import halts stem from the UFLPA, which mandates that products with ties to forced labor in Xinjiang are presumed inadmissible unless proven otherwise. This development has escalated tensions between DJI and the US government, adding to prior concerns about the company’s ties to Chinese surveillance efforts.
DJI’s response: Customs misunderstanding, not a ban
As DroneDJ reported recently, DJI has countered the accusations, describing the customs-related issues as a misunderstanding and rejecting the claims of forced labor as “entirely unfounded.” A spokesperson for DJI clarified, “This is a customs matter, and the evidence clearly demonstrates DJI’s compliance with existing laws. It is important to note that this is not a ban and does not appear to be linked to the proposed legislation against DJI in the US Congress.”
DJI’s statement emphasized that the company does not operate or source materials from Xinjiang, the region at the heart of the UFLPA concerns. According to the company, all its manufacturing is based in Shenzhen, China, and Malaysia, outside the scope of the UFLPA’s presumptions. The company also highlighted its compliance with international labor standards and US regulations, including Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and relevant occupational safety certifications.
DJI is actively engaging with the CBP to resolve the issue, providing documentation to support its compliance with the UFLPA. “We are confident that this issue will be resolved promptly if evaluated on its merits,” the company stated, underscoring its commitment to the US market despite the ongoing scrutiny.
Implications for DJI’s US market position
As the situation unfolds, the impact on DJI’s business in the United States remains uncertain. The company has faced increasing legislative pressure from US lawmakers who have expressed concerns about its ties to the Chinese government and potential risks to national security. The recent halt of DJI’s imports by the CBP, coupled with calls for legislative action, may further complicate its ability to operate in one of its key markets.
While DJI maintains that the CBP’s actions are a misunderstanding, the broader context of US-China relations, national security concerns, and human rights issues in Xinjiang continues to shape the narrative.
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