Establishment of the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force Under Section 741 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act
Executive Order 13923, issued May 15, 2020, establishes the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force to strengthen and coordinate U.S. enforcement of the prohibition on importing goods produced with forced labor under section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as implemented through the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) framework and related Section 741 provisions of the USMCA Implementation Act. The Task Force brings together key federal agencies to coordinate enforcement actions, decide on enforcement steps (Sections 742–744 of the Act), and ensure a unified government approach to preventing forced-labor products from entering the U.S. market. The order emphasizes interagency collaboration, a preference for consensus-driven decisions, and clear limits on funding (each department funds its own participation). It neither expands existing legal authorities nor creates new rights for individuals. It is a coordination and enforcement-enhancing measure, not new statutory authority.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force to monitor and enforce the prohibition under section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as applied under the USMCA framework (Section 741 of the USMCA Implementation Act).
- 2Membership and leadership: chaired by the Secretary of Homeland Security; includes representatives from State, Treasury, Justice, Labor, and USTR; the Chair may invite other agencies and designate officials to serve; participating agencies must provide staff to support the Task Force.
- 3Decision-making process: aims to reach consensus on actions under Sections 742–744; if consensus cannot be reached and further delay would be unduly harmful, decisions may be made by majority vote; the Chair may break ties.
- 4Funding: each participating department/agency bears its own costs for Task Force activities; no new centralized funding is created.
- 5General provisions: implementation must comply with applicable law and appropriations; the order does not impair existing authorities or create new enforceable rights for any party.