U.S. Taking Tougher Stand on 'Substandard Labor Practices'

IndustryWeek (7/16, AFP) – U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said on July 16 that Washington is preparing to take a tougher stand on violations of trade agreements, including on "substandard labor practices." Kirk noted that good trade policy depends on access to foreign markets. U.S. exports in 2008 generated nearly two trillion dollars in income -- "about one in every eight dollars Americans earned last year," he said. The administration will challenge one of the biggest obstacles facing American manufacturers -- technical barriers such as regulations and standards "that restrict U.S. exports of safe, high-quality products," he said.