Mohale FM The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has launched a Section 301 investigation into South Africa and 59 other countries to determine whether they are engaging in “unfair trade”.
The investigation forms part of a broader push by the US government to “level the playing field” between its own local production and more affordable imports.
Trade representative, Jamieson Greer said a key focus of the investigation will be on forced labour, but could also include many other unfair trade practices.
Notably, the investigation is not only looking at whether countries produce goods through forced labour, but also whether they allow these goods to enter their markets.
The investigations are an initial step to determine whether South Africa and other listed governments have taken sufficient steps to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labour.
