US opens unfair trade practices probe of 60 economies over forced labour
They include the European Union, Britain, Israel, India, China and Russia
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[WASHINGTON/TAIWAN] The US Trade Representative’s office said that it began on Thursday (Mar 12) Section 301 unfair trade practices probes of 60 economies. This is in relation to what it called failures to take action on forced labour.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said: “These investigations will determine whether foreign governments have taken sufficient steps to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labour.
“(It will also show) how the failure to eradicate these abhorrent practices (affects) US workers and businesses.”
The list of 60 countries and economies includes some major US trade partners and allies such as Australia, Canada, the European Union, Britain, Israel, India, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. China and Russia are also on the list.
The government in Taiwan, which is listed too, said in a statement that it is committed to improving labour rights and preventing forced labour. It will work with the US to emphasise human rights, resilience and sustainable governance.
US President Donald Trump’s administration has sought to rebuild tariff pressure on countries around the world, after the US Supreme Court struck down his global tariffs as illegal on Feb 20.
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Trump imposed a 10 per cent tariff for 150 days under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 after the ruling. On Wednesday, his administration said that it was launching trade investigations into excess industrial capacity in 16 major trading partners.
The US has already cracked down on solar panels and other goods from China’s Xinjiang region under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, signed into law by former US president Joe Biden.
Greer said that he wanted other countries to enforce bans on goods produced with forced labour, similar to those enshrined in a nearly century-old trade law.
The US alleges that the Chinese authorities have established labour camps for ethnic Uyghur and other Muslim groups. Beijing denies allegations of abuse.
Greer said that he hoped to conclude the Section 301 investigations, including proposed remedies, before Trump’s temporary tariffs expire in July. REUTERS
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