Federal Raids Target Chinese-Made Steam Products
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that federal agents executed nationwide raids to seize Chinese-made steam products, indicating that this marks the start of a broader crackdown on these items.
“As our children face health issues, the Chinese are profiting, and we’re putting a stop to that,” Kennedy stated during a press conference. He mentioned a partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) occurring from August 1 to August 14, during which they purchased products from distributors in various states, including Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, Arizona, California, and Florida.
Kennedy explained that the coordinated effort involved ATF visits to 14 retailers, with HHS focusing on five key distributors. “Today, we’re conducting raids across the country to confiscate these products. We’ve already seized 50 trucks, with 90% of the goods originating from China,” he remarked. He stressed that the initiative aims to target major distributors and convey that such operations are no longer acceptable.
Kennedy expressed belief that Attorney General Pam Bondy is leading this effort. “We have a new sheriff in town. Her name is Pam Bondy. We are focusing on these Chinese steam products to protect our children,” he added.
This announcement aligns with Kennedy’s earlier concerns regarding China’s influence on the U.S. market. In 2023, while running for president, he alerted that Wall Street hedge funds and Chinese investors were transforming American farms into “corporate territory.” He stated that China owned approximately 384,000 acres of U.S. farmland, leading to calls for restrictions on such purchases.
Kennedy’s announcement follows a series of other enforcement and policy moves in recent months. In April, he criticized the Biden administration, claiming that HHS acted as a “child trafficking collaborator” and contrasting that with the new direction of the Trump administration. He also pointed out efforts to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic food dyes and amend dietary guidelines.
In July, the Ministry of Justice charged two Chinese nationals as suspected agents of the Republic of China for allegedly trying to gather information about U.S. military services and facilities.
