Washington, Dec. 10 (CNA) U.S. Congressman Ted Yoho on Tuesday urged Americans to snub Chinese products on human rights grounds, suggesting that consumers instead buy goods made in Taiwan.
In a House committee hearing commemorating International Human Rights Day, the Republican Yoho said that Chinese oppression of Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Tibet and Taiwan only went unanswered because of the country's economic dominance.
While acknowledging that America "can't force China to do anything," Yoho said the country's manufacturers and consumers could nevertheless exert pressure on China through their financial decisions.
Manufacturers, he said, should face public pressure to institute an "ABC policy," choosing to manufacture their products "anywhere but China."
Consumers, meanwhile, could choose to buy Taiwanese products, even if they cost slightly more, Yoho said.
"I'm happy to support the country of Taiwan over supporting a Communist regime that I know is not looking out for human rights," he added.
Although the efficacy of such boycott movements in a globalized supply chain has been widely questioned, Yoho said the proposal offered individual people a way to send a message that China must change its behavior.
Yoho, a longtime supporter of Taiwan in Congress, also announced on Tuesday that he will not seek re-election in 2020.
