Vietnam strictly prohibits all forms of forced labor: Foreign Ministry

Vietnam strictly prohibits all forms of forced labor and fully complies with the regulations of the International Labor Organization (ILO), international treaties and free trade agreements to which it is a party, said spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang.

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Responding to reporters' questions regarding the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)’s decision to impose a new 12.5% tariff on goods from all economies under investigation pursuant to Section 301, Hang noted that the Vietnamese Government issued Decree 292/2026/ND-CP on July 22, 2026, which bans the import of goods extracted or manufactured wholly or partly through forced labor.

Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang

The USTR's decision fails to fully reflect the realities on the ground and Vietnam's efforts to prevent, reduce and eliminate forced labor, including its ban on imports of goods produced with forced labor, Hang said.

Vietnam will continue working with the U.S. in a constructive and cooperative spirit, while urging the U.S. side to fully take into account the measures Vietnam has adopted when adjusting tariffs on Vietnamese goods, consistent with the actual situation and Vietnam's ongoing legislative and enforcement push, she said.

Source: VNA