Labor issues are increasingly reflected in the trade laws passed by the U.S. Congress and other legislative bodies. Labor is at the center of current trade debates. A key question is how labor concerns will be reflected next month and next year in trade decisions, and what it will mean to businesses.
Labor provisions are contained in the eligibility criteria for U.S. trade preference programs and as part of free trade agreements. The prospects for most U.S. trade legislation and trade agreements are linked to the effective management of the labor issue. Labor provisions are also now contained in trade programs for the European Union and other countries. It is important to be informed of these developments, and to determine how they may affect a company and its sourcing decisions. Will a country remain eligible for trade preferences due to worker rights violations? Will a free trade agreement be stalled over the labor question? Are there effective government programs to address international labor concerns? How will Customs enforce provisions on products made with forced labor? The answers to these questions may have a real impact on business strategies.
ST&R has the expertise and experience to keep businesses informed and up-to-date on all the developments in the U.S. government that link labor and trade issues.