On President Joe Biden administration's first trade agenda submitted to U.S. congress on Monday, the country's trade with China, the world's second-largest economy, was a major part as the administration is conducting a comprehensive review of its trade policy with China.
While stressing a comprehensive strategy required to address the China challenge, Biden administration said it will use "all available tools" to respond to alleged unfair trading practices by Beijing, according to the 2021 Trade Policy Agenda and 2020 Annual Report, an annual document submitted by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
About the alleged unfair trading practices by Beijing, the report listed practices including unfair subsidies to favored industries and use of forced labor involving some ethnic groups, including Uygurs.
The hardening trade policies from the White House echo the many Trumpian rhetoric that inflamed anti-China sentiments in the country.
However, since China's ascension to the World Trade Organization (WTO), China has rigorously abided by its commitment. And the country's subsidies, regardless of the level or mode, have not exceeded the scope stipulated by the WTO, according to China's vice Minister of Finance Zou Jiayi.
As for the forced labor of Uygurs, both Chinese government and local Uygur residents have denied the allegations.
"In reality, laborers of all ethnicity in Xinjiang choose their jobs out of their free will," Zulhayat Ismayil, spokesperson of the Information office in Xinjiang regional government, said during a news conference held by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The spokesperson added that laborers sign contracts with and receive payment from companies on the basis of equality and their willingness to work, according to The Labor Law of People's Republic of China and relevant regulations.
Halidan Abudilimu, who works in a hotel in Turpan, also found the allegations in Western media groundless. "If there was indeed slave labor in Xinjiang, could we lead such a good life today?" she asked during a press conference.
(With input from agencies)