Trump Administration Mulls Adding Shein and Temu to Forced Labor List

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The Trump administration is reportedly considering adding Chinese e-commerce giants Shein and Temu to its “forced labor” list under the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), according to a report from Semafor on Tuesday. However, no final decision has been made, and the administration could ultimately choose not to place either company on the list, sources familiar with the discussions told Semafor.

Both Shein and Temu have denied allegations of using forced labor in their operations. In a statement to Reuters, Shein emphasized its compliance with the U.S. UFLPA, stating that it was unaware of any such consideration. Similarly, Temu asserted its strict prohibition against forced labor, citing its Third-Party Code of Conduct that bars all forms of involuntary labor.

This potential move by the U.S. follows new tariffs imposed by China on U.S. imports, which also included several companies, such as Google, potentially signaling a response to President Trump’s tariffs that took effect on Tuesday.

 

Italy Investigates Spyware Targeting Seven WhatsApp Users

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Italy’s government reported on Wednesday that seven mobile phone users in the country were targeted by spyware on WhatsApp, sparking concerns over privacy violations. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office called the situation “particularly serious” and has directed the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) to investigate. The targeted individuals included a journalist and a prominent migrant rescue activist.

Luca Casarini, co-founder of the Mediterranea Saving Humans charity, shared with Reuters the spyware alert he received from WhatsApp on Friday, the same day Meta Platforms accused the surveillance company Paragon Solutions of targeting roughly 90 users across several countries, including activists and journalists.

The Italian cybersecurity agency was informed about the seven confirmed cases, but Meta has withheld the identities of the individuals to protect their privacy. The spyware also impacted users across various other EU nations, including Belgium, Greece, and Spain, among others.

Meta alleged that Paragon Solutions, reportedly based in the U.S., used a sophisticated “zero-click” hack to infiltrate users’ phones and steal data, a method that requires no interaction from the targeted individuals. A cease-and-desist letter was sent to Paragon, but the company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Casarini, a frequent target of criticism from anti-migrant media, said the attempt to hack his phone was a violation of democracy. Similarly, Francesco Cancellato, an Italian journalist and recipient of one of the spyware alerts, expressed concern about the intrusion while conducting his own investigation into the incident.

 

Toyota to Launch Wholly Owned EV and Battery Unit in China

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Toyota Motor announced on Wednesday that it will establish a wholly owned company in Shanghai to develop and manufacture electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries for its Lexus brand. Production is expected to begin in 2027, with an initial production capacity of approximately 100,000 units annually. The new facility will also create about 1,000 jobs in its start-up phase.

The new venture will focus on creating a Lexus-branded electric vehicle and developing battery technology for these vehicles. In addition, Toyota has stated that it will collaborate with the Shanghai municipal government on carbon-neutral initiatives, contributing to China’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.