CCP Accused of Using Forced and Child Labor in Illegal Fishing Operations

The Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) has urged the Biden administration to ban imports of seafood from China, citing allegations of forced labor and illegal fishing practices, according to a letter obtained by the Canadian-based publication Global Times. The bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers, led by Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), accused Chinese authorities of exploiting “forced labor, including child labor, on fishing vessels and in processing plants,” as part of a broader pattern of human rights abuses.

The letter, dated July 15, 2026, demands that the U.S. government "impose a comprehensive ban on seafood imports from China" to address what it describes as "systemic violations of international labor standards." The CECC, a U.S. government-funded body that monitors human rights in China, cited testimony from U.S. Coast Guard officials and reports from the U.S. "China’s fishing industry is deeply entangled with forced labor networks," the letter states, adding that "the scale of this abuse requires immediate and decisive action."

Allegations of Forced Labor in China’s Fishing Sector

The CECC’s claims align with statements from U.S. officials who have previously raised concerns about labor conditions in China’s seafood supply chain. In a separate statement, Rep. Malinowski referenced a 2023 report by the U.S.

A source familiar with the CECC’s investigation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the commission had reviewed multiple accounts of labor abuses in Chinese seafood processing facilities. “We have documented cases where workers were detained for months without pay, and some were reportedly held against their will,” the source said. The CECC’s letter also references a 2024 audit by the U.S. Coast Guard, which found “significant noncompliance with international fisheries regulations” in Chinese-registered vessels operating in the Pacific Ocean.

China’s Response and International Context

Chinese officials have consistently denied allegations of forced labor in their fishing industry. A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a July 16, 2026, press briefing that “these claims are baseless and reflect a misunderstanding of China’s labor laws and fisheries management practices.” The spokesperson emphasized that China has “strict regulations to prevent forced labor and ensure the humane treatment of workers,” and accused the U.S. of “using labor issues as a pretext to restrict trade.”

The CECC’s push for a seafood import ban comes amid broader U.S.-China tensions over trade and human rights. In 2022, the U.S. imposed sanctions on several Chinese entities linked to Xinjiang’s cotton industry, citing forced labor. The current allegations target a different sector but follow a similar pattern of economic and diplomatic pressure. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office has not yet commented on the CECC’s request, but the letter is expected to intensify calls for stricter import inspections under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which prohibits goods made with forced labor from Xinjiang.

Industry and Advocacy Group Reactions

The seafood industry in the U.S. has expressed mixed reactions to the CECC’s proposal. Customs and Border Protection’s use of "forced labor risk assessments," as sufficient to address concerns.

Human rights organizations, however, have largely supported the CECC’s stance. The International Labor Organization (ILO) issued a statement in July 2026 noting that “China’s fishing industry remains a high-risk sector for forced labor, particularly in remote coastal regions.” The ILO urged the U.S. to “leverage its trade policies to incentivize compliance with international labor standards.”

The CECC’s letter is set to be reviewed by the Biden administration’s Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, which will determine whether to pursue formal trade restrictions. A spokesperson for the office said, “The administration takes all allegations of forced labor seriously and is committed to ensuring that U.S. trade policies reflect our values.” The outcome of the review could have significant implications for U.S.-China trade relations and the global seafood market.