People in Glass Houses Shouldn’t Throw Stones

I normally stay away from commenting on politics and politicians.  They are not worth the energy.  A recent announcement today, however, has compelled me to comment.  So here is my rant!

A month ago I wrote a story about modern slavery and children:

https://vocal.media/humans/criminals-of-modern-child-slavery

I discussed how many goods and services come from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This often involves modern forms of slavery. In Europe, there are different sorts of contemporary forms of slavery. Domestic servitude for people working in private homes and the care sector. These situations often lead to exploitation and abuse.

Today, the famous “dumbarse jellybean,” as Ben Boa puts it, made another shocking announcement. This jellybean seems determined to ruin what was once one of the greatest countries in the world. He decided that many Australian exports now face a new 12.5% tariff. This is part of a broader system impacting many countries. 

Australia’s top three exports, like beef and gold, will dodge the tariff hit. Go figure!

The US trade department stated that Australia is one of 54 economies that has “failed to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.” Countries now with a 12.5% tariff are Brazil, China, Egypt, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, and Singapore.

I get the sentiment, but do you really think the world is so naïve? They see your hidden effort to bring back the tariffs the Supreme Court rejected.

Consumers in the United States buy into slavery every day. The United States imports over $144 billion in products made by forced labour or at-risk groups. This amount is higher than any other country in the world. 

Women and children, in addition to men, can be trapped in forced labour. All genders can experience sexual violence at work. However, women in forced labour are more frequently victims of sexual exploitation. In effect, sexual exploitation enters into all forms of slavery.

Economies on a separate list—like the UK, India, Indonesia, Canada, and Mexico—will face a lower 10% tariff. The US said these countries only failed to enforce forced labour rules. 

India has the largest number of people in modern slavery worldwide. About 11.05 million victims live in these conditions. Indonesia is 10th in the world for modern slavery. This is mainly because of its large population. Within the Asia and the Pacific region, it ranks 10th for overall prevalence.

Even in the UK, Modern slavery exists in many forms. This includes exploitation in crimes like cannabis farming, sexual exploitation, and domestic slavery.

It also includes forced labor in:

• farms

• construction

• shops

• bars

• nail bars

• car washes

• manufacturing

Don’t get me wrong, every country should be doing more than they are to stamp out forced labour. What annoys me is that Mr. Trump, in his usual loud and foolish style, makes these internal statements without thinking.  People in glass houses ….

It makes as much sense as him putting a 50% tariff on Canada for not stopping their bushfire smoke. Trump blames Canada for the smoke in northeastern U.S. cities. He points to Canada’s forest management as the cause. He calls it an "invasion" of unhealthy air.

Here is a thought, Mr Trump. Why don't you get off your backside and send some firefighters to help them fight the fires?

So what exactly is the US doing about stopping forced labour? Aren't you a country that doesn't pay waiters in restaurants? Or, at best, pays them very little? So, they have to rely on tips to earn a wage. Isn't that forced labour?

Donate your brain to science. They will study how greed, ego, and arrogance can cause deterioration. Think before you speak. But I doubt he does. He just says whatever pops into his head.