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Ministry of Trade and Industry
1. Press releases

MTI Media Statement on the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)’s Determination on the Section 301 Investigation on Forced Labour

24 July 2026

  1. On 23 July 2026 (Eastern time), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published its Determination on 60 economies, including Singapore, investigated under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 for their acts, policies, and practices relating to the failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour. The USTR has concluded that all 60 of the economies under investigation had failed to impose a forced labour import prohibition and/or to effectively enforce such a prohibition.

  2. The USTR has proposed an additional ad valorem duty of 12.5% on Singapore’s exports to the US. Products subject to Section 232 tariffs are exempted. There are also specific product exemptions such as for energy and energy products, pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients, certain electronics, certain aerospace products, semiconductors, and metals used in currency and bullion[1]. About one-third of Singapore’s domestic exports to the US will be subjected to the 12.5% tariff, which will take effect from 12.01am on 24 July 2026 (Eastern time).

  3. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) will continue to engage the USTR to explore options on this matter. Further details on how the tariff will be implemented will also be shared when ready.

  4. Forced labour undermines fair and open trade. Singapore does not condone the use of forced labour and has a comprehensive enforcement framework and good track record against such illegal practices within our borders. Singapore has also consistently played a constructive role in advancing international labour standards to address the issue of forced labour. In October 1965, Singapore ratified the International Labour Organization (ILO)’s Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (C29).

  5. Forced labour in complex and multi-tiered international supply chains is a transnational issue that requires international cooperation and is most effectively addressed at source. Singapore remains committed to upholding high labour standards globally and working with the international community, including the ILO, to develop measures that address the issue of goods produced with forced labour.

  6. Singapore is a major trading hub. As such, any trade restriction, including a prohibition on goods produced with forced labour, would need to be carefully considered, which we will continue to do in close consultation with the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce and the business community.

  7. Singapore, along with 15 other economies, is also subject to the Office of the USTR’s investigations under Section 301 into the acts, policies, and practices relating to structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors. The findings and proposed actions of this investigation have not been released.


[1]The full list of product exemptions can be found in Annex II of the Office of the USTR’s pre-publication version of the Federal Register Notice.


MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
24 JULY 2026

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