The United States has significantly expanded its ban on imports from Chinese companies, adding 43 more entities to a list targeting alleged human rights abuses against Uyghur and other minority groups.

The move, announced on Friday, impacts supply chains ranging from electronics to food and metals.

These companies have been placed on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List.

This designation creates a legal presumption that any goods produced, wholly or in part, by these listed entities are made with forced labor and are therefore prohibited from entering the U.S., unless importers can definitively prove otherwise.

Beijing has consistently rejected accusations of forced labor and other abuses against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities within the Xinjiang region.

The notice, published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, marks the first additions to the list under the Trump administration.

This expansion increases the total number of listed entities from 144 to 187, representing the largest single increase since the act was signed into law in 2021.

China's Commerce Ministry on Saturday condemned the U.S. action as an "unfounded unilateral sanction," noting it came just a day after what it described as a constructive video call between trade officials from both nations.

The ministry stated that China would take "necessary measures" to protect its companies, without providing further details.

Four of the newly listed companies were cited for their alleged collaboration with Xinjiang authorities in recruiting, transferring, or receiving Uyghurs and other persecuted groups.

The Federal Register notice indicated that the remaining 41 companies were added due to their sourcing of materials from Xinjiang or from entities linked to government labor programs in the region.

Representative John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, commented in a statement: "Today's action by the Trump administration strengthens America's economy against products made with slave labor."

Conversely, China's embassy in Washington dismissed such allegations as "a lie" on Friday, asserting that Chinese law prohibits forced labor and that workers in Xinjiang are free to choose their occupations.

The listings include suppliers of critical materials used in electric-vehicle and energy-storage batteries. Reuters contacted 10 of the newly listed companies for comment, but none responded outside normal business hours.

Among them are SDIC Xinjiang Lithium Industry, a producer of lithium carbonate, and its parent company, SDIC Xinjiang Luobupo Potash, both listed for sourcing lithium and potassium from brine at Xinjiang's Lop Nur Salt Lake.

Xinjiang Tianhongji Technology, which manufactures materials for lithium- and sodium-ion batteries, was also added, with the U.S. notice stating it sources petroleum coke, anthracite, and asphalt from Xinjiang for battery material production.

Hunan Aihua Group, a Chinese manufacturer of aluminum electrolytic capacitors used in consumer electronics, industrial equipment, vehicles, and renewable-energy systems, was listed because the U.S. government said it sources materials, including chemical foil, from a production base in Xinjiang.

Aihua sells capacitors under the AiSHi brand and maintains a North American sales office in Glen Allen, Virginia, according to its website. Its products are also distributed by U.S. electronics supplier DigiKey.

Chacha Food, a snack-food producer, was also included.

The U.S. notice highlighted that Chacha exports products such as nuts and roasted seeds to nearly 50 countries and regions and sources agricultural products from Xinjiang.

Chacha Food has previously identified the United States as its largest overseas market, with a 2019 report by state-owned China Daily indicating the company had launched products in Walmart and Costco stores, primarily in New York and Los Angeles. Reuters could not immediately confirm if these retail arrangements are still active.

The companies contacted by Reuters did not immediately respond to the U.S. listing or its details on their social media accounts.

Among the larger entities listed was TBEA Co, which produces transformers and other transmission equipment, aluminum products, and high-purity polysilicon, a key material for solar panels.

The U.S. notice stated that TBEA sources aluminum and aluminum-alloy products from Xinjiang, and also listed its subsidiary, Xinjiang Tianchi Energy, for sourcing coal from the region.

The action also encompasses Tianshan Aluminum Group and seven of its affiliates. Tianshan reports an annual electrolytic-aluminum capacity of 1.4 million tons and a 2.5 million-ton alumina production line.

Shandong Gold Mining, which holds assets or projects in China, Argentina, Ghana, and Namibia, was also listed alongside units including Shandong Gold Smelting. The U.S. notice indicated that the group sources gold from Xinjiang, and one of its subsidiaries operates the region's largest single gold mine.