USTR: USMCA rapid-response tool key to future trade policy

The U.S. will use the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s rapid-response mechanism “frequently,” Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Labor Josh Kagan said on Wednesday, indicating that more cases are imminent and suggesting similar forms of the novel tool are likely to be incorporated into U.S. trade policy moving forward. The rapid-response mechanism allows parties to impose tariffs if a covered facility is found to be in violation of domestic labor rules covering workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining rights. The U.S. has...