President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House on July 24 in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

EDITORIAL: How dare Trump cite human rights for latest round of trade penalties

（社説）トランプ新関税　人権持ち出す身勝手さ

In imposing its latest round of tariffs, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump said many nations are failing to address forced labor along the supply chain.

That is a self-centered argument. It comes from a government that has disparaged human rights both domestically and abroad.

Washington gave a weak rationale for past rounds of tariffs, too. This latest one can only be considered an excuse, so it must be retracted immediately.

Reciprocal tariffs, which the Trump administration considered its signature policy, were ruled illegal by the U.S. Supreme Court in February.

Its global levy expired on July 24, so the U.S. government used a different trade law provision to impose penalties on trade.

The Trump administration said it wants to eradicate modern slavery. It argued that nations are imposing inadequate import restrictions, and that cheap products made using forced labor are flooding the United States.

It imposed tariffs of either 10 percent or 12.5 percent on 60 nations and regions, including Japan.

The 12.5-percent tariff imposed on Japan is lower than the 15-percent reciprocal tariff, so the conditions of the agreement reached with the United States in July 2025 have been maintained.

But Washington is continuing to investigate excess manufacturing capacity by 16 nations and regions, including Japan and China, so further tariffs may lie ahead.

Using forced labor in the supply chain is a serious violation of human rights. It must be eliminated.

Four years ago, the government imposed a measure on all businesses operating in Japan that called for respect for human rights, including among suppliers.

But it is still misguided to use forced labor as the basis for unilateral tariffs.

To begin with, it is the Trump administration that has belittled human rights. It has called for the dismantling of the International Criminal Court and argues for the forcible removal of illegal immigrants.

It must first correct its own actions.

At a hearing in Congress, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said there was no change in the administration’s trade strategy although the authority being used had changed. The tariffs would be imposed to reduce the trade deficit, he said.

It was clear that the administration plans to continue with tariffs.

The outrageous high-tariff measure--based on an America First policy--is hurting the global economy and the American economy itself.

Moreover, American consumers are struggling with higher prices, though this is due also to the surge in petroleum prices brought about by the U.S. attack on Iran.

While at one time Washington enjoyed ballooning tariff revenues, it has since been forced to return the money after the Supreme Court ruling.

And the moves have failed to reduce the U.S. trade deficit, sought by the Trump administration.

“Japanese industry and trade are conducted based on international rules,” trade minister Ryosei Akazawa told reporters on July 24.

He added that he had conveyed his displeasure to his U.S. counterparts.

We need to argue firmly against groundless measures and seek their retraction.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 1

米トランプ政権が新たな関税を発動した。供給網上の強制労働に、各国が適切に対応していないとの理屈を、根拠として持ち出した。国内外で人権を軽んじてきたのは政権の方であり、身勝手な言い分だ。これまでの措置も根拠に乏しかったが、今回も口実としか思えない。直ちに取り下げるべきだ。
　政権の看板政策だった「相互関税」は、２月に米連邦最高裁から違法と断じられた。その代替関税も７月２４日に期限が切れたため、別の法律に基づく新関税に移行した。
　「現代の奴隷制を根絶する」と唱え、各国の輸入規制が不十分と主張。強制労働による安い製品が米国に流れ込んでいるとして、日本を含む６０の国・地域に１０％または１２・５％の関税を課した。
　日本に適用された１２・５％は、「相互関税」の１５％よりは低く、昨年７月の日米合意の条件は守られてはいる。だが米政府は、過剰生産能力についての調査も、日本や中国など１６の国・地域を対象に進めている。さらに追加で課される可能性がある。
　供給網上の強制労働は深刻な人権侵害であり、一掃すべきなのは当然だ。日本政府も４年前に、国内で事業を営むすべての企業を対象とする指針を設け、調達先も含めた人権の尊重を求めている。
　だからといって、一方的な関税の根拠に強制労働を持ち出すのは筋違いだ。そもそもトランプ政権は、国際刑事裁判所（ＩＣＣ）の解体を叫び、「不法移民」を強引に排除するなど、人権軽視の姿勢が目立つ。自らの振る舞いを改めるのが先だろう。
　米通商代表部（ＵＳＴＲ）のグリア代表は米議会で、「政権が行使する権限は変わったが、貿易戦略は不変だ」「貿易赤字を縮小するために引き続き関税を課す」などと述べている。狙いが関税の継続にあるのは明白だ。
　「米国第一主義」に基づく理不尽な高関税措置は、米国自身を含む世界経済を傷め続けている。米国によるイラン攻撃が招いた原油価格の高騰と相まって、米国民さえも物価高に苦しむ。米政府の関税収入は一時大きく膨らんだが、連邦最高裁の判決を受けて返還の手続きが進む。政権が目指す貿易赤字の大幅削減にもつながっていない。
　今回の発動について赤沢亮正経済産業相は７月２４日の記者会見で、「我が国の産業や貿易は国際的なルールにのっとって実施されている」と述べ、米国側に遺憾の意を伝えたと明らかにした。いわれのない措置に毅然（きぜん）と反論し、撤回を求めていく必要がある。

(2026年8月1日)