Chinese fishing vessel Zhen Fa 7 is banned from U.S. markets after crew member Daniel Aritonang died from abuse and malnutrition aboard the ship, highlighting the brutal exploitation occurring in international waters under Beijing’s flag.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a withhold release order blocking all seafood imports from the Chinese vessel Zhen Fa 7 due to forced labor violations
- The ban follows a 4-year investigation revealing severe human rights abuses, including a crew member’s death from mistreatment
- CBP currently enforces 52 withhold release orders, with 36 targeting Chinese entities, demonstrating China’s systematic use of forced labor
- The action aligns with both the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, designed to prevent forced labor products from entering U.S. markets
- American companies including Sysco and Costco have faced pressure to improve forced labor checks in their supply chains
Death at Sea Exposes China’s Forced Labor Fishing Fleet
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has taken decisive action against Chinese fishing vessel Zhen Fa 7, issuing a withhold release order (WRO) effective May 28 that blocks all seafood imports from the ship. The ban comes after investigators uncovered evidence of forced labor practices, including horrific treatment that led to the death of Indonesian crew member Daniel Aritonang from abuse and malnutrition-related disease. The Chinese squid ship’s operations exemplify Beijing’s extensive use of exploitative labor practices that undercut American businesses while producing goods at artificially deflated prices through human suffering.
“As a result of these forced labor abuses, Zhen Fa 7 benefitted from lower labor costs, produced goods below market value, undercut American businesses, and unjustly earned profits,” According to the CBP
The order against Zhen Fa 7 stems from a comprehensive four-year investigation by the Outlaw Ocean Project, which documented widespread crimes including human trafficking and illegal fishing within China’s distant-water fishing fleet. The Human Trafficking Legal Center played a crucial role in transforming the investigation’s findings into a formal petition that ultimately led to federal action. This case represents just one example of China’s systematic exploitation of vulnerable workers across multiple industries, which the Trump administration has consistently opposed through targeted enforcement measures.
CBP Targets China’s Forced Labor Network
The action against Zhen Fa 7 adds to CBP’s growing list of enforcement actions targeting Chinese exploitation. Currently, the agency maintains 52 active withhold release orders, with 36 specifically targeting China-linked entities. This disproportionate focus on Chinese operations reflects the communist regime’s entrenched system of forced labor, particularly in the Xinjiang region where Uyghurs and other minorities face systematic exploitation. Under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), authorities have denied entry to 9,436 shipments, while releasing only 5,700 after thorough review, demonstrating the scale of China’s forced labor network.
“Combatting forced labor is central to CBP’s mission to protect the economic security of the United States,” CBP acting Commissioner Pete Flores said in a statement. “The President recently charged us to restore American seafood competitiveness by combatting unfair trade practices, and issuing this order is one way we are contributing to that goal.”
The United Nations has documented “serious human rights violations” in Xinjiang, though China continues to deny access to independent investigators. Despite Beijing’s obstruction, evidence continues to mount regarding the regime’s widespread use of forced labor to produce goods for export markets. The exploitation extends beyond fishing vessels to cotton production, mining operations, and manufacturing, creating a complex web of tainted supply chains that often route through Southeast Asian countries to disguise their Chinese origins.
American Companies Face Pressure to Clean Supply Chains
Major American corporations including Sysco and Costco have faced mounting pressure to implement more rigorous checks for forced labor within their supply chains. The investigation into Zhen Fa 7 received unprecedented international attention, with coverage from 241 news outlets across 43 countries raising awareness of China’s systematic exploitation. This heightened scrutiny has pushed American businesses to examine their sourcing practices more carefully, especially as the Trump administration continues to prioritize fair trade and human rights in international commerce Stated Pete Flores
The CBP advises all importers to thoroughly examine their supply chains for any connections to forced labor, particularly those linked to Xinjiang, and to maintain comprehensive documentation of their due diligence efforts. American businesses face significant liability if tainted products enter their supply chains, with shipments subject to detention, forfeiture, and potential penalties. As additional petitions targeting other Chinese vessels and companies remain pending, further enforcement actions are expected in the coming months as investigators continue uncovering evidence of China’s systematic exploitation of workers.
