US USTR 'Section 301 Forced Labor Investigation' Public Hearing... Pro-tariff and Human Rights Groups Attend

US USTR 'Section 301 Forced Labor Investigation' Public Hearing... Pro-tariff and Human Rights Groups Attend

For two days, 28-29... Procedural step to impose new tariffs to replace reciprocal tariffs

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) held a public hearing on the 28th (local time) regarding the Section 301 investigation into 60 economic entities that it believes are not adequately prohibiting the import of products produced with forced labor.

About 40 officials from organizations advocating for U.S. tariffs, human rights organizations, and industry groups attended the public hearing.

Reuters reported that 'The Coalition for a Prosperous America,' a group supporting tariff imposition, argued that forced labor acts as a hidden subsidy in product manufacturing and that tariffs should supplement appropriate measures related to import volumes.

An official from the human rights organization 'Global Rights Compliance' mentioned forced labor in China's Xinjiang Uyghur region and emphasized that the U.S. should seek mandatory measures to prohibit the import of products made with forced labor as part of trade agreements with other countries.

The public hearing will be held for two days until the 29th. On the 29th, some government officials from Pakistan, Mexico, Ecuador, and other countries are scheduled to attend.

On the 12th of last month, the Trump administration announced that it would conduct an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act regarding whether products involving forced labor in their production process are effectively prohibited from import, targeting 60 major trade partners, including Korea, Japan, China, and the European Union (EU).

After the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated country-specific reciprocal tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act in February, the Donald Trump administration plans to impose new tariffs to fill the void left by reciprocal tariffs before late July, based on investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act.

Although related procedures such as submission of written opinions and public hearings are underway, as it is a means to replace reciprocal tariffs, expressing opinions to the USTR is virtually meaningless.

The USTR is also investigating the overproduction issues of 16 economic entities, including Korea, China, and Japan, using Section 301 of the Trade Act. A public hearing is scheduled for early May.

Section 301 of the Trade Act grants the administration the authority to respond to unfair, unreasonable, and discriminatory acts, policies, and practices of foreign governments that restrict or burden U.S. trade, including through the imposition of tariffs.