Scientists say Western sanctions against China ‘toothless’ without better supply chain data

Researchers in Europe and the US have called for the creation of an international map of supply connections between firms to improve transparency in global trade and help Western companies comply with sanctions.

“As policymakers increasingly recognise, supply chains are critical for ensuring compliance with tax laws, human rights and environmental standards,” the researchers said in an article published in the journal Science on Friday, citing US legislation to ban imports from Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and the draft European Union Supply Chain Act as examples.