EU foreign chief Kallas rejects US tariffs over forced labor claims
EU diplomatic chief Kaja Kallas rejected U.S. justifications for new trade tariffs, calling allegations regarding the bloc's forced labor regulations unfounded.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has dismissed U.S. justifications for imposing new trade tariffs on European goods, describing claims regarding weak forced-labor enforcement within the bloc as baseless.
Speaking during the ASEAN meetings in Manila, Kallas defended the bloc's regulatory standards and firmly rejected Washington's rationale for the new trade restrictions. "You cannot say that about the European Union," Kallas stated, emphasizing that EU legislation addressing forced labor remains strict compared to global standards.
Her comments follow Washington's decision to announce fresh import duties on European goods over alleged deficiencies in labor oversight. European officials continue to defend the bloc's regulatory record against the U.S. measures.
Sources: Digi24