Submission to the USTR on New Trade Framework on Critical Minerals
March 19, 2026
The Coalition to End Forced Labour in the Uyghur Region respectfully submits this comment in response to the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s request for comments on the design of a plurilateral agreement on trade in critical minerals and related policy actions to strengthen the resilience of critical mineral supply chains. This submission addresses USTR’s questions regarding mineral prioritization, market design, regulatory standards, investment rules, and enforcement architecture. It argues that efforts to build resilient critical mineral supply chains must address the role of state-imposed forced labor and related non-market industrial policies that distort global mineral markets.