BMW Imports 8,000 Vehicle Units To US With Spare Parts From China's Prohibited Suppliers

Mini Cooper S. (Doc. BMW Group)

JAKARTA Shocking news came from the BMW camp. This German automotive manufacturer is known to import around 8,000 Mini Cooper vehicles to the United States (US) with electronic components from China's banned suppliers.

Reported by Reuters on Wednesday, May 22, a report from Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, said the company imported 8,000 model units with spare parts from Chinese suppliers that had been banned under law in 2021. However, BMW continued import activities with banned components until April.

The regulation relates to the 2021 congress in ratification of the Uyghur Forced Work Prevention Act (UFLPA) to strengthen law enforcement to prevent imports of goods from the Xinjiang region, China.

The region is believed to be a place with a forced labor system for members of the Uyghur minority group. However, China denies the allegations.

The report found that Bourns Inc, a California-based auto supplier, took components from Sichuan Jingweida Technology Group (JWD). The Chinese company entered the UFLPA Entity List in December, meaning its products are considered to be made by forced labor.

The company said it had taken several steps to stop the imports of affected products.

BMW Group will take service action to replace certain parts, adding that the company has strict standards and policies regarding employment, human rights, and working conditions, which all of our direct suppliers must comply with.

Nevertheless, Wyden urged Customs and Border Protection agencies to take a number of specific steps to increase law enforcement and crack down on several companies that trigger the use of forced labor in China.