Trinidad and Tobago is one of 60 economies named by the US government as failing to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor.
As such, the Office of the US trade representative says the failure of these trading partners to address matter is unacceptable.
There is now a proposal to impose at least 10% additional duties on imports from these 60 economies, including T&T.
In a report, the Office found that Trinidad and Tobago failed to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on imports linked to forced labour.
According to findings outlined in its investigation, the agency determined that this failure is “unreasonable” and also places a burden on United States commerce.
The 60 trading partners listed – including the UK, the EU, Canada, Guyana India, China and Japan – account for almost all of the goods sold to the US.
Ambassador Jamieson Greer said the situation creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field.
