Some of the positive aspects of artificial intelligence include its potential for finding solutions and serving humanity. Many stakeholders have recognized the significant role of digital reality and leverage its positive outcomes.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which is directly associated with monitoring trade movements at its borders, universally prohibits the entry of goods linked to any form of forced labor in China. Given its role and significant impact on the industry’s evolution, CBP has decided to harness the capabilities of artificial intelligence. It has signed a multi-year contract with Altana, a company responsible for better understanding global economic movements. Through a collaboration worth $2.85 million, Altana ensures comprehensive supervision, guidance, and recommended attention to every source of public or private data.
The intense wave of imports from China’s Xinjiang region prompted American intermediaries to intervene, resulting in renowned companies such as Nike and Adidas being targeted for suspicious activities. Facing a series of questions from Congress about their supply chains, these giants, according to CBP data, saw a significant quantity of apparel and footwear, valued at over $34 million, unable to cross the borders in the last 12 months.
The conflict stems from concerns over the origin of cotton, especially from Xinjiang, long before the pandemic. During the initial months of the pandemic, campaigns against the unchecked situation in Xinjiang began, with collateral losses for companies like H&M. While initially deemed as a racist attack, it soon became clear that the mass mobilization aimed to address a specific cultural issue in the region.
However, many companies in the fashion industry publicly took a stand, with some severing ties completely. This situation parallels other movements like “Black Lives Matter,” where brands suddenly demonstrated moral and ethical values despite their historical practices. These occurrences, although part of the game, should not be overlooked.
It’s important to note that during this period, due to the virus’s spread from China, there was a rise in racist ideologies globally, affecting Chinese citizens. Their reaction, although not entirely justified, was somewhat expected, considering their harrowing experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The situation has had increasing political and economic repercussions for nearly a decade. In 2016, Trump halted significant imports from Xinjiang suppliers collaborating with major companies like Adidas, Lacoste, H&M, Ralph Lauren, and PVH Corporation. Since then, all imports from the region were banned, labeling the entire situation as “genocide.” It was estimated that American brands and retailers produced over 1.5 billion garments annually, implicating them in the issue.
However, matters didn’t progress smoothly, and on March 22, 2020, Britain, Canada, the European Union, and the United States announced sanctions on Chinese officials in an escalating dispute regarding the treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang. In 2023, we’re still discussing the same problem, as if nothing has changed.
And why should gaming or influencing be affected by Xinjiang?
Influencers and gaming have been directly affected by this conflict. For instance, in response to the news about Burberry ceasing to purchase cotton from Xinjiang, a famous online game (Tencent) in China removed those specific garments. Additionally, influencers now collaborate very selectively with industry companies, fearing potential cancellation from their own country. In recent years, they have become particularly sensitive to pleasing the central government and publicly affirming national values, rejecting lucrative contracts.
Of course, when it comes to politics, pressures from each side tend to be mutual.
What exactly is Xinjiang?
Xinjiang is a region in northwestern China that produces about one-fifth of the world’s cotton. It is home to many ethnic groups, particularly the Uighurs, a Muslim minority. Although it is officially the largest of China’s five autonomous regions, theoretically meaning it has more legislative autonomy, the central government is increasingly involved in the region. It supports, as an excuse, that it must exercise its power due to local conflicts with the Han Chinese (the ethnic majority) who have migrated to the region. This has resulted in draconian restrictions, surveillance, criminal prosecutions, and forced labor camps.
How can I know if I have cotton from Xinjiang?
Simply put, you cannot. The supply chain and trade, in general, are so complex that often even companies themselves find it difficult to know exactly where and how each element of their clothing is manufactured.
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