Combating CCP Labor Abuses Act of 2025: New Training and Guidance for US Businesses on Avoiding Forced Labor in China

The Combating CCP Labor Abuses Act of 2025 is all about making sure American businesses aren't accidentally (or intentionally) supporting forced labor in China, specifically in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The bill puts the Department of Commerce in charge of two main things: education and advice.

Training the Commerce Crew

The first major part of the bill, detailed in Section 2, requires the Department of Commerce to train its employees. Think of it like this: if you're working at Commerce and advising businesses on trade and investment, you're going to get schooled on the human rights abuses happening in Xinjiang. This training will cover what's going on with the Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities, focusing on the forced labor issue. The goal is to make sure everyone at Commerce who's talking to businesses is aware of the problem and can help those businesses steer clear of it. This training is going to be built into existing programs, so it's not some one-off thing – it'll be kept up-to-date as the situation evolves.

Guiding American Businesses

Section 3 is where the rubber meets the road for American companies. The Department of Commerce is tasked with creating guidance for U.S. businesses involved in interstate commerce or foreign direct investment. It's like a guidebook for avoiding forced labor, especially when dealing with entities that might be connected to the Chinese government or areas known for human rights abuses.

This guidance isn't just a vague suggestion. It's going to include:

• Trends in Human Rights Abuses: Information on what's happening on the ground in Xinjiang, with a focus on forced labor.
• Risk Factors: How to spot companies or organizations that might be involved in these abuses.
• Avoiding Bad Actors: Practical ways to keep your business away from entities using forced labor.
• Potential Risks: What could happen to your business (reputation, money, legal trouble) if you get mixed up with these entities.

It's important to note that this guidance is advisory only. Think of it as strong advice, not a strict set of rules. The Department of Commerce will offer this guidance as part of its existing counseling services for businesses.

Real-World Impact

Let's say you run a small clothing company and you're sourcing cotton. This bill means you'll have access to information that helps you make sure your cotton isn't coming from Xinjiang, where forced labor is a known problem. Or, if you're a tech company investing in China, the Department of Commerce can advise you on the risks of partnering with certain entities.

The bill's aim is to prevent American businesses from, knowingly or unknowingly, contributing to human rights abuses. While the guidance is advisory, it puts the issue front and center and gives businesses the tools to make more ethical choices. The 'under the influence' definition in the bill will need careful handling to be effective and prevent any misuse.