H&M should lay low until China anger blows over, says EU business group

Chinese boycott of H&M over its refusal to use cotton from Xinjiang over forced labour concerns will pass, as 'Chinese customers love European products and brands', the EU Chamber of Commerce in China said

Chinese social-media users started a call for a boycott of H&M last week after discovering an undated statement from the company saying it would not use cotton from the far western region of Xinjiang over forced-labour concerns. Picture: AP/Mark Schiefelbein

Chinese anger at H&M and other brands who refuse to use cotton from Xinjiang will pass but businesses will continue to face risks from political issues, the head of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China said.

“You really have to just let it happen, lay low and see when it blows over and then come back again,” Joerg Wuttke said. “Chinese customers love European products and brands, so I guess it will be the same for textiles,” he said.