For too long, corporations that make billions in profits from exploitation of workers and the environment have benefited from access to international trade, leading to adverse human rights impacts and increased inequality.

The United States is one of the world’s biggest importers of goods that are high risk for being made through forced labor. Although there are laws in place that prevent goods made using forced labor from entering U.S. markets, enforcement has been sporadic. An alternate regime is needed that truly places human rights at the core of rules granting access to U.S. trade.

We advocate for strengthening existing trade rules to increase transparency into import supply chains and enforcement against abuses in those supply chains. As an industry at high risk for labor and environmental abuses, the seafood industry provides many opportunities for improving rights protections in U.S. trade.