As the diplomatic relationship between China and the US are taking a downward fall, the trade deals between the two nations are also getting affected.

After banning several Chinese companies from operating in the US, now the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has decided to&nbsp;to block imports of cotton and tomato products from western China's Xinjiang region.

However, the reason behind this decision is not the falling diplomatic relations but the inhumane actions from the Chinese side in the production. It has been alleged that the production of&nbsp;cotton and tomato products in the&nbsp;Xinjiang region is done through forced labour.

The announcement, which was to be made on Tuesday, has been postponed due to "scheduling issues". However, according to unofficial announcements and local reports, it has been reported the CBP is readying orders to stop the import of tomatoes, cotton, tomato paste,&nbsp;cotton yarn, textiles and apparel.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-ahead-of-polls-trump-plans-to-withdraw-us-troops-from-iraq-afghanistan-326154">Also read|&nbsp;US election 2020: Ahead of polls, Trump plans to withdraw US troops from Iraq, Afghanistan</a>

The decision has been taken after the United Nations claimed to have credible reports and proof that around one&nbsp;million Muslims have been detained in camps in the region, where they are put to work forcefully and are treated in an inhumane manner with very limited resources.

However, China, irrespective of the pressure imposed by the west, has denied all allegations and has continuously declared that the&nbsp;camps are vocational training centers needed to fight extremism.

"We have reasonable but not conclusive evidence that there is a risk of forced labour in supply chains related to cotton textiles and tomatoes coming out of Xinjiang," CBP Executive Assistant Commissioner Brenda Smith. "We will continue to work our investigations to fill in those gaps."

Although no official announcement has been made yet,&nbsp;the "Withhold Release Orders" allow the CBP to detain shipments based on suspicion of forced-labour involvement under long-standing US laws aimed at combating human trafficking, child labour and other human rights abuses.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-justice-department-seeks-to-defend-trump-in-e-jean-carroll-defamation-lawsuit-326113">Also read|&nbsp;US Justice Department seeks to defend Trump in E. Jean Carroll defamation lawsuit</a>

As per an order cited by a local news company, CBP has stated that the forced labour in the regionincludes&nbsp;"debt bondage, unfree movement, isolation, intimidation and threats, withholding of wages, and abusive working and living conditions."

The ban can have a negative effect on the US retail industry as China is one of the biggest cotton importer for the US as the Asian country&nbsp;produces about 20 per cent of the world's cotton and most of it comes from Xinjiang.

This is not the first time <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>'s administration has taken a step against the forced labour in&nbsp;Xinjiang region. Earlier, in March, the US lawmakers had proposed legislation that would require all goods coming from the&nbsp;Xinjiang region to specifically state that the products are not a result of the forced labour.

Later, in July, Washington issued an advisory warning companies operating businesses out of or with resources from Xinjiang, or with entities using Xinjiang labour. The lawmakers warned these companies that they&nbsp;could be exposed to "reputational, economic, and legal risks".

The ban would affect&nbsp;Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and apparel produced by Yili Zhuowan Garment Manufacturing Co Ltd and Baoding LYSZD Trade and Business Co Ltd.

It will also block imports of products made at the Lop County Industrial Park as well as the Lop County No. 4 Vocational Skills Education and Training Center. Products such as hair extensions from the Lop County Meixin Hair Product Co. will also be banned. Additionally, tech-related products such as computer-parts made by the Hefei Bitland Information Technology Co Ltd, based in Anhui, China, will also face the ban.

As the diplomatic relationship between China and the US are taking a downward fall, the trade deals between the two nations are also getting affected. After banning several Chinese companies from operating in the US, now the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has decided to to block imports of cotton and tomato products from western China's Xinjiang region.

As the diplomatic relationship between China and the US are taking a downward fall, the trade deals between the two nations are also getting affected. After banning several Chinese companies from operating in the US, now the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has decided to to block imports of cotton and tomato products from western China's Xinjiang region. However, the reason behind this decision is not the falling diplomatic relations but the inhumane actions from the Chinese side in the production. It has been alleged that the production of cotton and tomato products in the Xinjiang region is done through forced labour. The announcement, which was to be made on Tuesday, has been postponed due to "scheduling issues". However, according to unofficial announcements and local reports, it has been reported the CBP is readying orders to stop the import of tomatoes, cotton, tomato paste, cotton yarn, textiles and apparel. Also read| US election 2020: Ahead of polls, Trump plans to withdraw US troops from Iraq, Afghanistan The decision has been taken after the United Nations claimed to have credible reports and proof that around one million Muslims have been detained in camps in the region, where they are put to work forcefully and are treated in an inhumane manner with very limited resources. However, China, irrespective of the pressure imposed by the west, has denied all allegations and has continuously declared that the camps are vocational training centers needed to fight extremism. "We have reasonable but not conclusive evidence that there is a risk of forced labour in supply chains related to cotton textiles and tomatoes coming out of Xinjiang," CBP Executive Assistant Commissioner Brenda Smith. "We will continue to work our investigations to fill in those gaps." Although no official announcement has been made yet, the "Withhold Release Orders" allow the CBP to detain shipments based on suspicion of forced-labour involvement under long-standing US laws aimed at combating human trafficking, child labour and other human rights abuses. Also read| US Justice Department seeks to defend Trump in E. Jean Carroll defamation lawsuit As per an order cited by a local news company, CBP has stated that the forced labour in the regionincludes "debt bondage, unfree movement, isolation, intimidation and threats, withholding of wages, and abusive working and living conditions." The ban can have a negative effect on the US retail industry as China is one of the biggest cotton importer for the US as the Asian country produces about 20 per cent of the world's cotton and most of it comes from Xinjiang. This is not the first time Donald Trump's administration has taken a step against the forced labour in Xinjiang region. Earlier, in March, the US lawmakers had proposed legislation that would require all goods coming from the Xinjiang region to specifically state that the products are not a result of the forced labour. Later, in July, Washington issued an advisory warning companies operating businesses out of or with resources from Xinjiang, or with entities using Xinjiang labour. The lawmakers warned these companies that they could be exposed to "reputational, economic, and legal risks". The ban would affect Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and apparel produced by Yili Zhuowan Garment Manufacturing Co Ltd and Baoding LYSZD Trade and Business Co Ltd. It will also block imports of products made at the Lop County Industrial Park as well as the Lop County No. 4 Vocational Skills Education and Training Center. Products such as hair extensions from the Lop County Meixin Hair Product Co. will also be banned. Additionally, tech-related products such as computer-parts made by the Hefei Bitland Information Technology Co Ltd, based in Anhui, China, will also face the ban.

US election 2020: Trump administration to ban imports from China over forced labour

A passageway connecting the San Diego area in California to an industrial site in the Mexican city of Tijuana was found recently by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-authorises-1-bn-for-trumps-border-wall-205641">US Customs and Border Protection</a>. The tunnel stretches for 4,309 feet (1,313 metres) and has a lift, rail track, drainage and air ventilation systems, high voltage electrical cables and panels.&nbsp;

Authorities have refused to comment on potential suspects behind the tunnel, no drugs have been found in the tunnel and no arrests have been made.&nbsp;

There could exist a possible link between the tunnel and Mexico's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-mexico-el-chapos-sons-add-brash-new-chapter-to-crime-family-257617">Sinaloa cartel</a>, which operates in the area and has been described by the US as one of the largest drug-trafficking organizations on the planet. Founder and leader of the Sinaloa cartel <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-rise-and-fall-of-el-chapo-mexicos-most-wanted-kingpin-236726">Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman</a>, is currently serving life at ADX Florence.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-border-crossings-plunge-but-immigration-raids-draw-fire-241783">US border crossings plunge but immigration raids draw fire</a>

Mexican officials identified the entrance of the tunnel in August and US investigators mapped it before releasing the findings. The tunnel is 5.5 feet high and 2 feet wide, resting at a depth of 70 feet (21m) below the surface. US Customs and Border Protection are not clear how long it took to build it.

<img alt="The sophisticated tunnel had a rail track" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="39a576c5-34ae-442e-81df-5187b5f23f8e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%286%29_23.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;US officials say they have discovered the longest smuggling tunnel ever found on the border with Mexico. (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Blocking a suspected former exit of the tunnel in San Diego's Otay Mesa industrial warehouse area were several hundred sandbags, as per reports. The main tunnel had an incomplete offshoot. The second-longest tunnel found in the San Diego area of the country in 2014 was 2,966 feet long, as per reports.

Impeached US President Donald Trump has asserted the need for a border wall many times, adamant that it is required to tackle illegal immigration and drug trafficking.&nbsp;Officials have concurred that most drugs are smuggled through legal ports of entry and hidden in privately-owned vehicles or transporter lorries mixed with other goods. A border wall would be as effective against a network of smuggling tunnels as a gun. 
&nbsp;

A passageway connecting the San Diego area in California to an industrial site in the Mexican city of Tijuana was found recently by US Customs and Border Protection.

A passageway connecting the San Diego area in California to an industrial site in the Mexican city of Tijuana was found recently by US Customs and Border Protection. The tunnel stretches for 4,309 feet (1,313 metres) and has a lift, rail track, drainage and air ventilation systems, high voltage electrical cables and panels. Authorities have refused to comment on potential suspects behind the tunnel, no drugs have been found in the tunnel and no arrests have been made. There could exist a possible link between the tunnel and Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, which operates in the area and has been described by the US as one of the largest drug-trafficking organizations on the planet. Founder and leader of the Sinaloa cartel Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, is currently serving life at ADX Florence. Also Read:US border crossings plunge but immigration raids draw fire Mexican officials identified the entrance of the tunnel in August and US investigators mapped it before releasing the findings. The tunnel is 5.5 feet high and 2 feet wide, resting at a depth of 70 feet (21m) below the surface. US Customs and Border Protection are not clear how long it took to build it. [ US officials say they have discovered the longest smuggling tunnel ever found on the border with Mexico. (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Blocking a suspected former exit of the tunnel in San Diego's Otay Mesa industrial warehouse area were several hundred sandbags, as per reports. The main tunnel had an incomplete offshoot. The second-longest tunnel found in the San Diego area of the country in 2014 was 2,966 feet long, as per reports. Impeached US President Donald Trump has asserted the need for a border wall many times, adamant that it is required to tackle illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Officials have concurred that most drugs are smuggled through legal ports of entry and hidden in privately-owned vehicles or transporter lorries mixed with other goods. A border wall would be as effective against a network of smuggling tunnels as a gun.

Longest smuggling tunnel discovered under US-Mexico Border; possible connections to Sinaloa cartel

President Donald Trump's border wall with Mexico has yet to be built and, on Wednesday, US authorities began demolishing the prototypes constructed for it in California 16 months ago.

The eight models of concrete and steel were unveiled in October 2017, at a cost of more than $300,000 each, on the edge of San Diego at the border with Tijuana, Mexico.

Trump himself inspected the 30-feet (nine-meter) full-scale models erected side-by-side when he visited California in March last year and pushed his signature campaign promise of a wall along the Mexican border.

He says the barrier is needed to keep out illegal immigrants, criminal gangs and drug traffickers.

The prototypes were built for testing and evaluation, which has now been completed, a Customs and Border Protection official said.&nbsp;

"They have served their purpose and are now being removed" while a new "secondary bollard wall" will go up in the same location, the official said.

"Removing the prototypes would be less expensive than integrating the prototypes into the new Secondary Border Wall."

Construction workers used machinery to knock down seven of the prototypes but were unable to topple the last one.

"They woke us up early when they were drilling," said a Tijuana resident who lives a few meters from the border, where the prototypes had become an attraction for tourists in Tijuana.

Unable to obtain all the congressional funding he seeks for his wall, Trump declared a "national emergency" that would enable him to find billions of dollars from other sources, in particular, the Pentagon budget for military construction.

On Tuesday the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives struck down the emergency declaration, which will also be considered by the Senate, which is controlled by Trump's Republican party. 
&nbsp;

President Donald Trump's border wall with Mexico has yet to be built and, on Wednesday, US authorities began demolishing the prototypes constructed for it in California 16 months ago.

President Donald Trump's border wall with Mexico has yet to be built and, on Wednesday, US authorities began demolishing the prototypes constructed for it in California 16 months ago. The eight models of concrete and steel were unveiled in October 2017, at a cost of more than $300,000 each, on the edge of San Diego at the border with Tijuana, Mexico. Trump himself inspected the 30-feet (nine-meter) full-scale models erected side-by-side when he visited California in March last year and pushed his signature campaign promise of a wall along the Mexican border. He says the barrier is needed to keep out illegal immigrants, criminal gangs and drug traffickers. The prototypes were built for testing and evaluation, which has now been completed, a Customs and Border Protection official said. "They have served their purpose and are now being removed" while a new "secondary bollard wall" will go up in the same location, the official said. "Removing the prototypes would be less expensive than integrating the prototypes into the new Secondary Border Wall." Construction workers used machinery to knock down seven of the prototypes but were unable to topple the last one. "They woke us up early when they were drilling," said a Tijuana resident who lives a few meters from the border, where the prototypes had become an attraction for tourists in Tijuana. Unable to obtain all the congressional funding he seeks for his wall, Trump declared a "national emergency" that would enable him to find billions of dollars from other sources, in particular, the Pentagon budget for military construction. On Tuesday the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives struck down the emergency declaration, which will also be considered by the Senate, which is controlled by Trump's Republican party.

US demolishes Trump's border wall prototypes