US lawmakers have launched an inquiry into major apparel companies, including Adidas, Nike, and Shein, over possible connections to forced labor in China during their product manufacturing.

The House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party sent letters to the leaders of Shein, Nike, and adidas, confronting them about the sourcing of materials and labor from China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region. The letters cited witness testimonies alleging that Nike and adidas may be using materials from Xinjiang, which would violate US law.

The lawmakers have given Nike and adidas the opportunity to respond to these "serious allegations" and provide evidence of compliance with the Uighur Forced Labor Prevention Act, a law passed with bipartisan support in 2021. They have also reached out to fashion companies Shein and Temu to ensure their adherence to US supply chain laws. The deadline for responses from the companies is set for May 16th.

In response to controversies, Nike has expressed concern about reports of forced labor in Xinjiang, while Adidas stated in 2019 that it had no contractual relationship with any Xinjiang supplier. However, neither company has formally responded to the recent letters from US lawmakers.

The investigation highlights the growing scrutiny on companies with supply chains connected to Xinjiang and the need for greater transparency and accountability to ensure compliance with human rights standards.