Taiwan's Executive Yuan Responds to U.S. Section 301 Probe, Vows to Restrict Import of Forced Labor Goods
In response to the U.S. plan to impose Section 301 tariffs on Taiwan over forced labor concerns, Taiwan's Executive Yuan stated that the U.S. Trade Representative's report acknowledges Taiwan's commitments, placing it among 14 countries with a lower 10% tariff rate. The Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Economic Affairs will establish an inter-ministerial review process, using the Trade Act as the legal basis to restrict the import of goods produced by forced labor.
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- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 14:10
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(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 4) The United States plans to impose Section 301 tariffs on Taiwan and 13 other countries citing forced labor, with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) noting that Taiwan currently does not legally prohibit the import of forced labor products. Taiwan's Executive Yuan stated that the Section 301 investigation report acknowledges Taiwan's commitments, placing it among 14 countries recommended for a lower tariff rate of 10%. The Ministry of Labor will collaborate with the Ministry of Economic Affairs to establish an inter-ministerial review process, using the Trade Act as the legal basis to restrict the import of goods produced by forced labor.
The U.S. Department of Commerce, citing forced labor, plans to invoke Section 301 to impose 10% tariffs on 14 countries including Taiwan. The USTR pointed out that Taiwan currently has no legal prohibition on importing forced labor products. The Executive Yuan's Taiwan-U.S. Economic and Trade Working Group stated yesterday that the U.S. acknowledges the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) signed between Taiwan and the U.S., which is why Taiwan is among the 14 countries recommended for the lower 10% tariff rate. This announcement is only part of the Section 301 investigation process, and the final tariff rate has not been determined. Taiwan is confident in receiving relatively favorable treatment among the trade deficit countries.
Executive Yuan Spokesperson Lee Hui-chih stated at a press conference after the Executive Yuan meeting today that since the U.S. launched the Section 301 investigation on March 12, Taiwan has actively communicated through written submissions and consultations. In the future, based on the Trade Act and following an inter-ministerial review process, Taiwan will restrict the import of goods produced by forced labor to align with sustainable governance for international supply chains and human rights resilience.
Lee further noted that the Ministry of Labor has indicated Taiwan places high importance on monitoring and preventing forced labor risks in international supply chains. Therefore, the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Economic Affairs will establish an inter-ministerial review process, and after a decision is made, the Trade Act will serve as the regulatory basis to restrict the import of forced labor goods.
Lee also emphasized that Taiwan is a country that has completed the ART with the U.S. To maintain the best treatment and relative advantages under the ART, Taiwan will continue to communicate with the U.S.
Regarding the improvement of forced labor practices, Executive Secretary Hsu Chung-chin of the Office of Trade Negotiations explained at the press conference that to enhance the international competitiveness and trustworthiness of Taiwanese industries, the government continues to assist businesses in preventing forced labor. This includes issuing the "Corporate Guidelines for Preventing Forced Labor" on February 13, guiding industries to recruit and manage migrant workers in accordance with international norms, and submitting a draft amendment to parts of the Employment Service Act to the Executive Yuan on April 9. The amendments include a comprehensive ban on retaining workers' identification documents and confiscating their property.
Hsu said the government will continue to refine the direct hiring of migrant workers by employers and optimize the broker evaluation system, while also improving labor protections for foreign deep-sea fishermen. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150604
The U.S. Department of Commerce, citing forced labor, plans to invoke Section 301 to impose 10% tariffs on 14 countries including Taiwan. The USTR pointed out that Taiwan currently has no legal prohibition on importing forced labor products. The Executive Yuan's Taiwan-U.S. Economic and Trade Working Group stated yesterday that the U.S. acknowledges the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) signed between Taiwan and the U.S., which is why Taiwan is among the 14 countries recommended for the lower 10% tariff rate. This announcement is only part of the Section 301 investigation process, and the final tariff rate has not been determined. Taiwan is confident in receiving relatively favorable treatment among the trade deficit countries.
Executive Yuan Spokesperson Lee Hui-chih stated at a press conference after the Executive Yuan meeting today that since the U.S. launched the Section 301 investigation on March 12, Taiwan has actively communicated through written submissions and consultations. In the future, based on the Trade Act and following an inter-ministerial review process, Taiwan will restrict the import of goods produced by forced labor to align with sustainable governance for international supply chains and human rights resilience.
Lee further noted that the Ministry of Labor has indicated Taiwan places high importance on monitoring and preventing forced labor risks in international supply chains. Therefore, the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Economic Affairs will establish an inter-ministerial review process, and after a decision is made, the Trade Act will serve as the regulatory basis to restrict the import of forced labor goods.
Lee also emphasized that Taiwan is a country that has completed the ART with the U.S. To maintain the best treatment and relative advantages under the ART, Taiwan will continue to communicate with the U.S.
Regarding the improvement of forced labor practices, Executive Secretary Hsu Chung-chin of the Office of Trade Negotiations explained at the press conference that to enhance the international competitiveness and trustworthiness of Taiwanese industries, the government continues to assist businesses in preventing forced labor. This includes issuing the "Corporate Guidelines for Preventing Forced Labor" on February 13, guiding industries to recruit and manage migrant workers in accordance with international norms, and submitting a draft amendment to parts of the Employment Service Act to the Executive Yuan on April 9. The amendments include a comprehensive ban on retaining workers' identification documents and confiscating their property.
Hsu said the government will continue to refine the direct hiring of migrant workers by employers and optimize the broker evaluation system, while also improving labor protections for foreign deep-sea fishermen. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150604