Trump Tariff 'Show Trial' Over Modern Slavery Concerns, Says Aussie Anti-Slavery Commissioner

Australia's Anti-Slavery Tsar Accuses US of Using Modern Slavery as Trade Weapon

Australia's anti-slavery tsar, Chris Evans, has accused the Trump administration of using modern slavery as a 'distruston and a weaponisation of trade measures' to impose tariffs on Australian exports. Evans, a former Labor cabinet minister and anti-slavery commissioner, has fired back at the Trump administration for weaponising modern slavery concerns as a trade measure.

Evans stated that the United States Trade Representative's office had only conducted a very cursory examination of the issues, involving only one interview with Australian officials. The investigation, he said, was a 'show trial effectively,' meant to distract from real human rights issues.

Evans conceded that Australia was not doing enough to prevent forced labor in supply chains. However, he emphasized that the Trump administration was not motivated by a genuine concern about worker rights. He said, 'This is not about modern slavery, which is an important human rights issue; it's a distraction and a weaponisation of trade measures.'

He also stated that the proposed 12.5 per cent tariff, which is set to expire in July, was unjustified and would harm Australian businesses and jobs. In addition, Evans called for Australia to introduce a due diligence obligation requiring Australian companies to move beyond disclosure and take reasonable, proportionate action to prevent forced labor in their supply chains.

Evans acknowledged that Australia's Modern Slavery Act was ahead of its time when passed in 2018. However, he said it was now too light touch. Evans pointed out that the act needed to be strengthened.

Australia's trade minister, Don Farrell, has used a face-to-face meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to argue that the proposed tariffs should not be applied to Australia. The trade minister emphasized that the proposed tariffs were unjustified and would have severe consequences for Australian businesses and jobs.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that Australia has 'robust, comprehensive, and world-leading legislation' addressing forced labor and modern slavery. Albanese emphasized that this legislation is a testament to Australia's commitment to addressing human rights issues.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has also spoken out against the proposed tariffs, saying that Australia continues to assert its view that it is not supportive of tariffs. Wong's statement highlights Australia's stance on the proposed tariffs and its commitment to maintaining good relations with the US.

The proposed tariffs are part of a broader trade dispute between the US and Australia. The US has been critical of Australia's trade practices, and the two countries have been negotiating a new free trade agreement. The proposed tariffs target several countries, with 6 countries being hit with a lower proposed 10 per cent tariff: Canada, the European Union, Ecuador, Indonesia, Mexico, and Pakistan.

Major Australian exports to the US, including beef, pharmaceuticals, rare earths, and gold, are excluded from the proposed tariffs. The proposed tariff related to forced labor would not sit on top of the existing tariff.