Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government is reviewing and preparing an official response to an investigation by the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which examined several countries' policies regarding efforts to prevent the import of goods produced using forced labor.

"We are reviewing the USTR's announcement regarding the results of an interim investigation into the policies and practices of several countries related to efforts to prevent imported goods produced using forced labor," Haryo Limanseto, spokesperson for the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, said on Thursday.

In a document titled "Acts, Policies, and Practices of Various Economies Related to the Failure to Impose and Effectively Enforce a Prohibition on the Importation of Goods Produced with Forced Labor," Indonesia is among six economies deemed to have not effectively enforced the ban. The other five include Canada, Ecuador, the European Union, Mexico, and Pakistan.

The USTR considers these practices to be restrictive to US trade and has therefore proposed additional import duties on the affected nations.

The USTR is proposing a 10 percent additional tariff for Indonesia, while 54 countries deemed to have no regulations prohibiting imports of goods made with forced labor would face a 12.5 percent tariff.

In response, Limanseto conveyed that Indonesia remains committed to respecting human rights, protecting workers, and implementing labor principles in line with international standards.

The government will follow up on the process established by the USTR, including submitting written comments and participating in public hearings.



"Regarding the ongoing discussion process, the Indonesian government will continue to communicate constructively with the United States government," he noted.

Furthermore, the Indonesian government will continue strengthening its own import regulations to ensure that goods entering the country are not associated with businesses involved in forced labor practices.

"The government will strengthen import regulations and ensure that imported goods are not produced by businesses with forced labor practices," he continued.

The proposed tariffs came after the USTR completed an investigation into 60 major US trading partners under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

This move is part of President Donald Trump's administration's broader push to sustain tariff policies after several earlier measures encountered legal challenges in the United States.







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