China and U.S. Clash Over Garlic: Senator Tim Scott Slams Chinese Imports, Accuses of Food Safety Issues

The United States and China are embroiled in a heated conflict over garlic. A U.S. senator raised concerns about the safety of Chinese garlic, and China responded strongly. This dispute is expanding bilateral trade tensions into the realm of food security.

According to Chinese media outlets, including Guancha, on Thursday, U.S. Senator Rick Scott (Republican, Florida) issued a statement claiming that Chinese garlic poses a serious threat to U.S. food security on Tuesday. Senator Scott accused China of using human feces in garlic farming and unsanitary conditions and exploiting forced and child labor.

Scott called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to investigate all Chinese food imports and urged the Department of Labor to add Chinese garlic to its list of products made with forced labor.

China has vehemently rejected these accusations, calling them politically motivated attacks. Guancha, a Chinese state-run media outlet, described Senator Scott’s claims as groundless slander and accused the U.S. of implementing protectionist measures to drive domestic garlic prices.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill banning the sale of Chinese garlic on military bases. Experts view this as a sign that U.S.-China tensions, previously centered on AI, semiconductors, and other advanced industries, are now spilling over into the agricultural sector as the second Trump administration approaches.

The Chinese state-run newspaper Global Times criticized Scott’s remarks in an editorial, calling them “spreading false information.” Chinese netizens have also reacted strongly, describing the move as having “clear political intentions.”

According to market research firm Global Market Insights, China’s garlic exports in 2023 amounted to approximately $2 billion, accounting for 80% of global garlic exports.