USTR Chief: "Trump Will Never Tolerate Forced Labor in the Global Supply Chain"

U.S. to Impose Additional Tariffs on Korea and 59 Other Economic Zones
Citing Lax Oversight of Forced Labor Products
Greer Responds to WP's Criticism in Public Letter

Jamison Greer, United States Trade Representative (USTR), reaffirmed the plan to impose up to an additional 12.5% tariff on 60 economic zones, including Korea, stating, "U.S. President Donald Trump will never tolerate forced labor in the global supply chain."

Jamison Greer, the United States Trade Representative (USTR), is giving a speech at a manufacturing plant in Michigan on April 9 (local time). Photo by AP Yonhap News Agency

On June 10th (local time), the USTR announced on its official website that Representative Greer had sent a public letter with these remarks to the Washington Post (WP). Earlier, in an editorial on June 3rd, the WP criticized the U.S. government for using forced labor enforcement laws as an excuse to increase tariffs, calling it "a pretext for protectionism."

Representative Greer emphasized, "It is clear that the WP's opposition stems from its dislike of President Trump," and added, "For over 100 years, U.S. law has banned the import of goods that are produced wholly or in part by forced labor."

He further explained that, during President Trump's first term, the U.S. led Mexico and Canada to implement bans on the import of goods produced by forced labor. In the second term, he said, the U.S. is demanding the prohibition of such imports as a core provision in mutual trade agreements. According to Greer, nine countries have so far pledged to adopt and implement such measures.

Representative Greer stated, "The United States must ensure that these promises are actually enforced," and added, "At the same time, we must continue to use American influence to eradicate slave labor from global supply chains."

He continued, "I understand that the WP editorial board wants to give a free pass to countries that ignore forced labor happening abroad," and pointedly remarked, "I also know that they are unlikely to publish a headline such as 'President Trump Has Done More to Combat Modern Slavery Than Any President in the Last 100 Years.'"

The USTR announced on June 2nd that, based on Section 301 of the Trade Act, it plans to impose an additional 10-12.5% tariff on 60 economic zones for insufficiently active enforcement against 'forced labor production.' Notably, Korea was grouped among 46 economic zones that have failed to introduce or effectively enforce import bans on forced labor products and has been proposed for a 12.5% tariff. The USTR will accept written opinions on this issue until July 6th and will hold a public hearing on July 7th. The Korean government intends to actively explain its efforts to eradicate forced labor to the U.S. authorities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.