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The Philippines is pressing the US to lower a 12.5% tariff on exports, arguing that robust domestic laws and a newly issued administrative order prove the country does not tolerate forced labour in its supply chains.
Vietnam's Foreign Ministry has reiterated its commitment to eliminating forced labour, citing recent legislation banning imports of goods produced through exploitation. The statement responds to US tariff actions that Hanoi claims overlook its enforcement efforts.
Indonesia is actively negotiating with the US Trade Representative's office to obtain lower tariffs after Washington imposed a 10 per cent duty on Indonesian goods as part of its Section 301 investigation into forced labour in supply chains.
The Philippines is negotiating with the US Trump administration to lower a 12.5% tariff on its exports to 10%, imposed over forced labour concerns. Ambassador Romualdez says Manila will remove any goods with child labour from export lists if proven.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pledged continued discussions with the United States regarding tariffs linked to forced labour compliance, though he expressed relief at Malaysia's relatively modest 10 per cent duty rate compared to global peers.
A coordinated enforcement drive in Bandar Seri Begawan has resulted in the detention of two foreign nationals and the identification of multiple workplace and utilities violations across the capital.
Malaysia's manufacturing federation has appealed to the US to apply Section 301 tariffs selectively, warning that blanket duties risk penalising compliant firms and destabilising regional supply chains integral to global electronics production.