G-7 trade ministers call for ridding supply chains of forced labor

Statement follows Western pressure on China over Uyghur treatment

20211022N XINJIANG COTTON HARVEST

A farmer picks cotton in a field in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, where there are reports of forced labor. © AP

SATSUKI KANEKO and YUSUKE NAKAJIMA, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO/LONDON -- Ministers from the Group of Seven advanced economies agreed Friday to seek to eliminate forced labor from global supply chains, taking a stance seen as in line with Western criticism of China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims.

The joint statement from the G-7 trade meeting in London marks the first time the group has endorsed import restrictions and other trade policy tools to stop forced labor.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.