Fast Retailing has criticized the US Customs Department for blocking Uniqlo brand shirts in January saying they violated a ban on cotton products produced in China’s Xinjiang region. Fast Retailing said, Uniqlo uses cotton sourced from sustainable sources only. The brand has mechanisms to identify potential violations of human and workers’ rights.

China has criticized the US move. Zhao Lijian, Foreign Ministry spokesman said, Xinjiang has no forced labor and the US is using bullying tactics. He urged companies to oppose these irrational acts by the US. A US Customs document dated May 10 said a shipment of Uniqlo men's shirts was impounded on January, 5 at the Port of Los Angeles due to a suspected violation of the ban.