Unilateral Sanctions Based on Human Rights Grounds in The Xinjiang Cotton Case: Challenges and Prospects for Balancing Human Rights and International Trade

Abstract

This study delves into the intricate interplay between international trade and human rights, using the case of the Xinjiang cotton controversy as a lens to examine the complexities involved. The research dissects the motivations, implications, and challenges of using trade measures as tools to address human rights concerns. It explores the economic and trade impacts of unilateral sanctions, scrutinizes the rationality and sustainability of using human rights as pretexts, and probes into the political motivations behind such actions. The study further navigates the complex ethical and moral issues entailed in trade-based human rights enforcement. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of bilateral and multilateral dialogue, sustainable development, and supply chain transparency in harmonizing human rights with international trade.