H&M, Nike face boycotts in China as Xinjiang becomes wedge issue
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Published 25 Mar,2021 via Bloomberg Technology & Innovation - U.S. and European retail brands in China are suddenly facing a dilemma: Embrace cotton from Xinjiang and come under attack in the West, or reject it and risk a boycott in the world’s second-biggest economy.
Hennes & Mauritz AB was blasted by the Communist Youth League and the People’s Liberation Army on Wednesday after social-media users dug out an undated company statement about accusations of forced labor in Xinjiang. Calls to boycott the Swedish retailer quickly spread to include Nike Inc., which has previously said it won’t source products from the region due to labor concerns. Brand ambassadors in China for both firms cut ties with the companies in recent days.
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