US lawmakers criticize Tesla’s showroom in Xinjiang

• Democrats Bill Pascrell, Jr. and Earl Blumenauer wrote a strongly worded letter to Tesla CEO Elon Musk

• They questioned Tesla on its plans to expand in China and its financial relations with companies based in Xinjiang

Democrats Bill Pascrell, Jr. and Earl Blumenauer, the Chairmen of the House Ways and Means subcommittees, harshly criticized Tesla Inc’s (NASDAQ: TSLA) reported opening of a showroom in China’s Xinjiang province, today.

In a joint letter to Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk, the two lawmakers expressed their angst against Tesla’s move. "Your misguided expansion into the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region sets a poor example and further empowers the (Chinese government)," they wrote.

At the beginning of this month, Tesla announced the opening of its first store in Xinjiang, China, which has been described by the U.S. State Department as an area where abuse of Uyghurs and members of other Muslim minorities prevails along with “widespread, state-sponsored forced labor” and “mass detention.”

Also read: Tesla opens new store in Xinjiang, a 'hotbed for human rights violation' allegations

Xinjiang has been a hotbed of controversy with human rights groups accusing Beijing of detaining ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups in "re-education" centers. There have been allegations of using them for forced labor in firms working directly or indirectly as part of global tech and retail supply chains.

Pascrell and Blumenauer asked Musk to identify any goods sourced by Tesla that are made or manufactured in Xinjiang. They also asked whether Tesla has any financial relationships with companies connected to Xinjiang and questioned Tesla on its plans to expand into other regions in China.

Also Read: Intel’s China apology over Xinjiang remarks shows good business trumps good politics always

Picture Credits: Tesla