Singapore assessing impact as US proposes 12.5% tariffs over forced labour probe

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said on Thursday (Jun 4) that it is assessing the potential impact of Washington’s proposed new tariffs on dozens of trading partners, while continuing to engage the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on the matter.

This comes after the USTR published the findings of its Section 301 investigation into 60 economies over their alleged failure to enforce bans on imports of goods produced with forced labour.

The USTR concluded that 54 of these economies, including Singapore, China and Britain, “failed to impose and effectively enforce a forced labour import prohibition”. It therefore proposed a 12.5 per cent tariff on certain goods.

The proposed tariff would cover about one-third of Singapore’s domestic exports to the US, although various product exemptions would apply. These exemptions include energy products, pharmaceutical ingredients, certain electronics and semiconductors.

In response to CNA’s queries, MTI said: “The Ministry of Trade and Industry will continue to engage the USTR constructively to explore options on this matter, and is assessing the impact of the proposed actions on Singapore’s exports to the US.” 

The ministry reiterated Singapore’s position that it does not condone forced labour in supply chains and maintains a comprehensive domestic enforcement framework against such practices. It also said there is no evidence of Singapore’s involvement in supply chains linked to forced labour.

“Forced labour is a transnational issue that requires international cooperation,” said an MTI spokesperson, adding that Singapore had conveyed its position during bilateral consultations with the USTR.