Chinese netizens mock US blacklisting of food brands over forced-labour claims
The latest batch of Washington’s import restrictions – targeting snack firms – is creating quite a stir among China’s social media users
A wave of disbelief has swept through Chinese social media. Commenters said the decision was “ridiculous”, while sarcastically questioning how common Chinese food somehow became Washington’s newest national security threat.
“It seems the US has truly reached the end of its rope,” said one user in the comment section of a post by state-run China News reporting the sanction. “This is completely ridiculous.”
“He who has a mind to beat his dog will easily find a stick,” wrote another.
“Does the US government think the spiced sunflower seeds are biochemical weapons now?” asked one commenter, referencing the products by ChaCha Food, which is known for its seasoned nuts and roasted seeds.
In another video posted by official media China Daily on Douyin – China’s domestic version of TikTok – an internet user wrote that “it’s hard to believe that frozen dumplings from Synear and roasted seeds from ChaCha are now viewed as equal threats to American interests alongside tech giants like Huawei Technologies and DJI”.