Supply chain platform TradeBeyond has teamed up with compliance tech firm Kharon to launch a tool aimed at helping US retailers and brands navigate tough new trade and tariff rules targeting Chinese imports—an increasingly important capability as Donald Trump ramps up his protectionist rhetoric.
Originally built to help businesses comply with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) of 2021, the tool aims to enable companies to proactively screen their supply chains for links to forced labour in China’s Xinjiang region, a key requirement under the law.
The act prohibits the import of goods connected to forced labour unless companies can prove otherwise, a challenge that has caused significant delays and disruption across retail supply chains.
But with Trump signalling steep new tariffs on Chinese goods—some reportedly as high as 145%—the same technology is now being positioned as a frontline solution to tackle both ethical and economic pressure points.
“Brands can no longer afford to be passively reactive,” said Eric Linxwiler, SVP at TradeBeyond. “This partnership embeds advanced forced labour risk intelligence directly into the systems retailers already use.”
By integrating Kharon’s risk data into TradeBeyond’s traceability tools, the firms claim to eliminate the need for manual screening and allow for early mitigation of compliance and reputational risks.
TradeBeyond’s platform already includes features for supplier relationship management, Scope 3 carbon tracking, and ESG reporting.
Kharon director Ethan Woolley added: “Companies are facing growing pressure from regulators and consumers to prove their supply chains are free from forced labour.
“By partnering with TradeBeyond, we’re making it easier for global retailers and brands to operationalise due diligence, ensuring that compliance is not just a checkbox, but a proactive part of supply chain decision-making.”
The collaboration reflects a broader shift in US trade policy, where human rights enforcement and tariff measures are becoming tightly interwoven. As compliance requirements grow and political pressure on China escalates, tools like these could become useful for retailers caught in the crosshairs of global trade tensions.
