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US Probes 60 Nations Over Forced Labor Import Bans, Targets Major Economies

The US Trade Representative has initiated investigations into 60 economies to assess if their governments are sufficiently banning imports produced with forced labor. The probe, launched under Section 301 of the Trade Act, targets major nations including South Korea, China, Japan, India, and the UK. USTR Jamieson Greer stated that failure to enforce such bans creates an unfair cost advantage for foreign producers. This action follows a separate trade inquiry by the Trump administration and could result in the imposition of new tariffs.

Key Points: US Launches Forced Labor Import Ban Probe Into 60 Economies

  • Probe targets 60 economies
  • Uses Section 301 trade law
  • Focus on unenforced import bans
  • May lead to new tariffs
  • Includes China, South Korea, Japan, India
2 min read

US launches probe into 60 economies over failure to ban forced labour-linked imports

The US investigates 60 economies, including China and South Korea, for failing to ban imports made with forced labor, potentially leading to new tariffs.

"For too long, American workers and firms have been forced to compete against foreign producers who may have an artificial cost advantage gained from the scourge of forced labor. - USTR Jamieson Greer"

Washington, March 13

The Office of the US Trade Representative has opened investigations into 60 economies, including South Korea, China and Japan, to determine whether their governments have taken sufficient steps to ban the importation of goods produced with forced labour.

The office said the investigations were initiated under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration pushes to roll out new tariffs to replace the country-specific emergency tariffs that the Supreme Court struck down last month, reports Yonhap news agency.

The investigations will determine whether acts, policies and practices of the economies related to the failure to impose and enforce a ban on imports produced with forced labor are "unreasonable" or "discriminatory," and burden or restrict U.S. commerce, the office said.

The countries subject to the investigations include South Korea, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Britain, Australia, Canada and Taiwan.

"Despite the international consensus against forced labor, governments have failed to impose and effectively enforce measures banning goods produced with forced labor from entering their markets," USTR Jamieson Greer was quoted as saying in a release.

"For too long, American workers and firms have been forced to compete against foreign producers who may have an artificial cost advantage gained from the scourge of forced labor," he added.

On Wednesday, the Trump administration opened a trade inquiry into South Korea, China, Japan and 13 other economies to uncover what Greer called "unfair" trade practices related to "structural" excess capacity and production, a move that might result in tariffs.

The inquiry was also launched under Section 301, a provision that allows the USTR to investigate unfair foreign trade practices on a country-by-country basis.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Interesting that India is on the list. We have strong laws against bonded labour, but enforcement in the informal sector is a challenge. Hope this probe leads to constructive dialogue, not just punitive tariffs.
A
Aman W
The timing feels political, right before elections? The US itself has issues with prison labour. This "Section 301" seems like a tool for unilateral pressure. The approach should be cooperative through the ILO.
S
Sarah B
As a consumer, I want to know the products I buy are ethically made. This probe might force more transparency. Indian companies that follow good practices could actually benefit from this in the long run.
V
Vikram M
Why is the list so big? 60 economies including UK, Canada, Australia? Feels like a blanket action. The focus should be on the worst offenders where state-sponsored forced labour is documented, not everyone.
K
Karthik V
Good intent, but the mechanism is worrying. "Unreasonable or discriminatory" is subjective. This could easily be misused for protectionism under a moral guise. Hope our trade negotiators are prepared.

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