Hanoi, June 4 -- Pham made the above statement at the ministry's press briefing held on Thursday, regarding the U.S. Trade Representative's proposal of fresh tariffs on 60 economies, including Viet Nam, based on the conclusion that these economies have not enacted or effectively enforced measures to prevent the import of goods produced with forced labor, thereby impeding U.S. trade.

The diplomat said, Viet Nam's consistent policy is to prohibit all forms of forced labor and strictly comply with the regulations of the International Labor Organization (ILO) as well as the labor-related commitments contained in free trade agreements.

This policy is clearly stipulated in legal documents, government programs, and action plans, and is effecti...