The United States' proposal to impose 301 tariffs has been strongly opposed, and multiple parties have demanded that it immediately withdraw the plan
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has proposed imposing tariffs on 60 economies worldwide, citing the issue of "forced labor". The plan is scheduled to enter a three-day hearing on July 7th. However, governments and industry organizations from multiple countries have spoken out intensively before and after the hearing, strongly opposing the US move and demanding that it immediately withdraw its tax plan.
According to reports from media outlets such as Politico News Network and Reuters, on February 20th of this year, the US Supreme Court ruled that the "equivalent tariffs" imposed by the US government last year under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were illegal. On March 12th, the US launched a 301 investigation into 60 economies, including China, on the grounds of "not prohibiting the import of forced labor products". The public opinion generally believes that the new investigation aims to replace the previously rejected tool of "equivalent tariffs". On June 2nd, USTR announced its investigation conclusion, determining that the behavior, policies, and practices of 60 economies related to "forced labor" are "unreasonable" and constitute a burden or restriction on US business. Based on this, it proposes to impose tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5%.
At the hearing held on July 7th, ministers and representatives from multiple Latin American countries, including Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, and Ecuador, first refuted the US accusations. According to Reuters, Mexican representatives have made it clear that USTR's claim of "not prohibiting the import of forced labor products" is untrue, and Mexico has established comprehensive laws and procedures to address related issues. Mexican Deputy Minister of Economy Acevedo bluntly stated that the tariffs proposed by USTR against Mexico are unreasonable, and there is no evidence to suggest that goods exported from Mexico to the United States involve forced labor. ”
The Indian government also urged the US to withdraw its proposal to impose a 12.5% tariff on Indian goods in its written comments submitted to USTR on July 6th. The Times of India reported that the Indian side pointed out that the investigation lacked sufficient evidence to prove that India's exports involved forced labor, nor did it prove that the related trade harmed the interests of American companies.
The Singapore government rejected USTR's investigation conclusion in written comments and cited official US data to emphasize that there is no evidence to suggest a connection between Singapore and the US export supply chain involving forced labor. Singapore has stated that it has not implemented any unreasonable or discriminatory policies that burden US businesses.
The South Korean government also commented that the US measures were excessive and lacked basis. According to a report by Korea Radio International, the South Korean side has assessed that the tariff proposal is neither appropriate nor necessary and should be reconsidered.
Chinese law explicitly prohibits forced labor, "the representative of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers stated in a statement submitted to USTR. If the United States insists on imposing tariffs, it will only increase the costs for American importers and consumers
American businesses, retailers, and trade groups have also called on USTR to cancel its tax increase plans for 60 economies. The report released by the Progressive Policy Institute, a think tank in the United States, on the 6th believes that USTR's investigation conclusion lacks factual basis, and its argument about "imposing a burden on American business" is also untenable. The agency stated that it does not agree with the government's practice of imposing tariffs, which is burdensome for American households, inconsistent with US trade commitments, and (as the experience of the past year has shown) more likely to weaken rather than strengthen US manufacturing.