Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has defended the Chinese company Serbia Zijin Copper after U.S. authorities banned imports of its copper and related products, citing allegations of forced labor.
Despite the accusations, Vučić emphasized the company’s importance for Serbia’s economy and employment, arguing that the government will do everything possible to help the Bor-based firm overcome the impact of U.S. sanctions.
“I believe that through dialogue with the Americans we will be able to help, at least to some extent, the company from Bor, which employs 7,000 people and keeps eastern Serbia alive,” Vučić said during a visit to works on the Fruška Gora Corridor.
He added that Serbia is paying the price of geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China.
The decision was issued by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which blocked shipments of copper produced by Serbia Zijin Copper following an investigation that allegedly found indicators of forced labor in its production process.
According to U.S. authorities, workers at the company were exposed to six indicators of forced labor defined by the International Labour Organization, including abuse of vulnerability, wage withholding, threats and intimidation, restriction of movement, confiscation of personal documents, and excessive overtime.
Serbia Zijin Copper has rejected the allegations, stating that it opposes all forms of forced labor and is conducting internal checks regarding the claims.
Meanwhile, China Labor Watch previously reported alleged cases of document confiscation, excessive working hours, unsafe conditions, and restrictions on worker mobility in Zijin’s operations in Serbia.
Zijin is not the only Chinese company in Serbia facing U.S. measures. Earlier, Washington also banned imports of tires produced by Linglong Tire in Zrenjanin over similar forced labor concerns.
