Last month saw Greater London Transport Newsletter (GLTN) point the finger at Transport for London (TfL) – chaired by Lord Khan of Tooting – identifying it purchasing buses and other components from mainland China produced by child and forced labour.
Richard Town, Editor of GLTN, said: “We circulated our story to all press and the 25 members of the greater London assembly – and tabled a mayors’ question time question that has been ignored. Only one public relations desk jockey at TfL bothered to respond trying to pour cold water on our allegations.
“This follows our item on the use of child labour grubbing for rare earths needed for manufacture of electric car batteries. A mine in an African country had collapsed entombing child miners. We hoped that London’s mayor would call in the country’s ambassador to offer tecnical advice and support for the mines so that they’re made safe. Again, we received no reply.
“The newest American import levies, announced at the end of July by US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, would fall under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which is aimed against countries that engage in forced labour. US president Donald Trump had said his administration would investigate unfair trading practices to impose permanent tariffs.
“The United States has had a forced labour import ban for nearly a century, and rigorously enforces it; it’s well past time for our trading partners to do the same,” Greer said in a statement. “I’m encouraged by trading partners who’ve moved quickly to adopt forced labour product import prohibitions, and look forward to ensuring their effective enforcement.”
“Australia and Brazil described the new tariffs as unjustified and said they would seek to have them removed, while Norway’s foreign minister said there was no basis for the new tariffs.
“EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said the bloc would seek clarification from Washington, adding that it had honoured commitments under a transatlantic trade agreement reached last year and viewed the new tariffs as a shock.
“Canada, one of America’s largest trading partners, immediately responded that it “should not be targeted”, adding it was a leader against the practice of importing goods produced with forced labour. “If the intent is truly to address forced labour, the focus should be a coordinated approach through a multilateral mechanism,” Matthew Holmes, executive vice-president of the Canadian chamber of commerce, said in a statement. “The timing of this is somewhat suspect as previous rounds of tariffs sunset.”
“Trump had long viewed tariffs – border taxes levied on imports – as a core tool to protect American jobs and manufacturing, reduce trade deficits and reverse what he sees as “unfair” practices by US trading partners. “Tariff”, he has said many times, is “the most beautiful word in the dictionary”.
“The latest round of tariffs invoke section 301, which has long proved controversial and so far been used sparingly, according to a Brookings analysis of the law in March.”
ENDS
Author Richard Town is a former GLC councillor and metropolitan police driver. He writes here on behalf of The Alliance of British Drivers (ABD).
For all media enquiries, contact Paul Naylor on 07914 304 504 or email paul@mediaandyou.co.uk
Notes: Founded in 1992, the Alliance of British Drivers (ABD) is the leading organisation promoting the interests and concerns of drivers in the United Kingdom.
The UK has over 37 million drivers – that is a majority; we should stop tolerating the way we are treated by the government and local councils.
Cars, vans and taxis account for 80% of the mileage of all trips in the UK, and over 65% of goods being carried by road. The road network, and the people who use it, are of vital importance to the nation’s economy. Drivers should expect the road network to be improved and maintained to a standard that is fit for purpose. They should be able to use the roads in a safe and responsible manner without being subject to unreasonable charges, restrictions or penalties.
