U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has sent a letter rebutting a Washington Post editorial that criticized proposed tariffs on South Korea and other economies over forced labor concerns.
Greer wrote the letter in response to the June 3 editorial, which argued that the tariff announcement represented a pretext for protectionism.
“Only the Washington Post Editorial Board would find a way to advocate for a laissez-faire approach to modern slavery,” Greer said in the letter. He added that the opposition was driven by antipathy toward the president.
The USTR carried out investigations into 60 economies under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act. South Korea, China and Japan are among 54 economies that could face 12.5 percent tariffs.
“It might never bring itself to publish the headline ‘President Trump does more to combat modern slavery than any president in a century,’” Greer said. “But let me be clear: under President Trump, the United States will no longer tolerate forced labor in global supply chains.”
