Key facts
- The U.S. Trade Representative proposed additional tariffs of 10% or 12.5% on imports from 60 economies.
- The tariffs are due to the economies' alleged failure to effectively enforce prohibitions on goods made with forced labor.
- South Korea, China, and Japan are among 54 economies that could face 12.5% tariffs.
- USTR Jamieson Greer sent a letter to the Washington Post editorial board to rebut its criticism.
- Greer stated the editorial's opposition was driven by antipathy toward President Trump.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has formally rebutted a Washington Post editorial that criticized proposed tariffs on South Korea and other nations over concerns about forced labor. In a letter to the editorial board, Greer argued that the newspaper's opposition stemmed from its "antipathy" toward President Donald Trump.
The USTR office is proposing additional tariffs of 10% or 12.5% on imports from 60 economies, citing their failure to effectively enforce prohibitions on goods made with forced labor. South Korea, China, and Japan are among the 54 economies that could face the higher 12.5% tariff rate.
Greer's letter, posted on the USTR website, responded to a June 3 editorial titled "Trump tries a new trick to raise tariffs." The Post had argued the tariff announcement was a "pretext for protectionism." Greer countered that U.S. law has prohibited the import of goods made with forced labor for nearly a century and that President Trump is doing more to combat modern slavery than any president in a century.
The USTR investigations into forced labor concerns were conducted under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act. The administration is also investigating South Korea, China, Japan, and 13 other economies for "unfair" trade practices related to overcapacity and production. These actions follow the Supreme Court's February decision striking down country-specific "reciprocal" tariffs.