The Trump administration has quietly begun laying the groundwork for a permanent trade policy targeting 60 economies worldwide, aiming to curb the use of forced labor.
This move follows a Supreme Court ruling that effectively gutted emergency trade powers, used by the administration to impose temporary tariffs on several countries. However, the White House has found a new legal path to maintain the tariffs and possibly increase them.
Section 301 tariffs take center stage
The Trump administration is shifting its focus to Section 301, a 1974 trade law that allows the US to impose tariffs in response to unfair trade practices. Using this law, the administration is constructing a more permanent trade policy that will target countries guilty of using forced labor in their supply chains.
This move is aimed at several countries with poor human rights records, including China, Malaysia, and several African nations. The tariffs, which have yet to be finalized, will likely be imposed on a wide range of goods, from textiles to electronics.
60 economies in the crosshairs
The administration’s list of targeted countries includes 60 economies that have been identified as major users of forced labor. While the exact list has not been made public, sources close to the matter suggest that China, which has been at the center of several high-profile forced labor scandals, will be a key target.
Other countries, including Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, are also likely to face tariffs due to their significant use of forced labor in industries such as garment manufacturing and agriculture.
What this means
The Trump administration’s decision to impose permanent tariffs on 60 economies will have significant implications for businesses and individuals around the world. Companies that rely on imports from these countries may see their costs increase, potentially leading to higher prices for consumers.
Forced labor advocates, on the other hand, see this move as a victory in the fight against modern slavery. “This is a crucial step towards holding countries accountable for their use of forced labor,” said Amal Bakhrecha, a human rights expert at the University of California. “We hope that this policy will send a strong message to countries that use forced labor and encourage them to reform their practices.”
