Biden administration outlaws imports of key Chinese-made product used in solar panels

The Biden administration is outlawing U.S. imports of a key Chinese-made product used to make solar panels, following an international pledge by the seven wealthiest democracies to rid the global supply chain of human rights abuses.

The narrow ban on silica-based products follows a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) investigation of Hoshine Silicon Industry Company that "reasonably indicates use of forced labor to produce silica products," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a briefing on Thursday. CBP Acting Commissioner Troy Miller said in a press briefing Thursday that the agency's probe uncovered evidence of "intimidation and threats" and "restriction of movement" toward employees.