The United States announced sanctions that bar imports from Chinese companies operating in the genomics sector. The sanctions are based on allegations that these firms used genetic data to monitor minority populations in a north‑western region of China. Washington says the practice amounts to forced labor and violates American trade rules. Beijing rejected the accusations, describing them as unfounded and driven by protectionist motives. The Chinese government also criticized the measure as an attack on its sovereign interests. Officials in Beijing warned they would take steps to defend their national interests against the import ban.