Canada looking to beef up forced labour laws as U.S. imposes new tariffs
The U.S. trade representative said reported enforcement actions are minimal and cited 50 intercepted shipments since 2020, as Ottawa vows new legislation.
- On Tuesday, the United States Trade Representative accused Canada of "failing to effectively enforce its forced labour import prohibition," threatening new tariffs as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement faces renewal.
- Data from the Coalition Against Forced Labour shows Canadian border officials intercepted 50 shipments on forced-labour suspicion since 2020 but turned away only two, a gap the White House attributes to 2020 USMCA renegotiation changes.
- Martha Goncalves of PwC Canada stated Canada "essentially for four years, was not in compliance" with USMCA forced-labour articles, while advocates argue Parliament's 2023 legislation remains underutilized for enforcement.
- Following the report, the prime minister announced plans to introduce new legislation strengthening forced-labour enforcement, while the USTR scheduled tariff hearings for July to review Canada's compliance.
- Former Liberal MP John McKay called the tariff threat "hypocrisy heaped on hypocrisy," arguing it serves as a bargaining chip for President Donald Trump rather than addressing forced labour in North America.
30 Articles
30 Articles
Five things to know about Donald Trump's forced labour claims against Canada
Canada is facing the prospect of entirely new tariffs from US President Donald Trump's administration after Washington claimed Ottawa has a poor track record on preventing importation of products of forced labour.
Winnipeg Free Press
Things to know about Donald Trump's forced labour claims against Canada
OTTAWA - Canada is facing the prospect of entirely new tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration after Washington claimed Ottawa has a poor track record on preventing importation of products of forced labour.
Carney Says New US Forced Labour Tariffs Will Not Impact Majority of Canadian Trade
Prime Minister Mark Carney responded to Washington’s proposal to introduce 10 percent tariffs on countries that allow in goods produced by forced labour, saying most Canadian exports would remain exempt under the country’s trade agreement with the United States. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer proposed the new tariffs on June 2, which would apply to dozens of countries that have allowed products made using forced labour into their suppl…
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