June 18, 2026

Are the 301 Tariffs Really About Forced Labor? with Josh Kagan

Josh Kagan joins Emily and Geoff to give the big picture behind recent U.S. tariffs related to forced labor, as well as providing an insider’s view on the future of trade and labor issues. In an area that is often a blind spot for the U.S. national security community, Josh helps explain why labor issues have become central to the U.S. approach on trade.

Josh Kagan is Special Counsel at Kelley Drye and previously served as the Assistant United States Trade Representative for Labor Affairs at USTR.

USTR, Section 301 Investigation into Forced Labor

Washington Post Editorial Board, “Trump tries a new trick to raise tariffs,” June 3, 2026

USTR, “Ambassador Greer Pens Letter to Washington Post Editorial Board in Response to June 3 Editorial”

Jamie Tronnes & Emily Kilcrease, “Trump’s Replacement Tariffs Will Have Unintended Consequences for USMCA,”National Review, June 12, 2026

Robert Lighthizer, No Trade Is Free: Changing Course, Taking on China, and Helping America's Workers

Michael Beeman, Walking Out: America’s New Trade Policy in the Asia-Pacific and Beyond

Sherrod Brown, Myths of Free Trade: Why American Trade Policy Has Failed