If passed, the Child Deterrence Act would outlaw U.S. imports of products made by children under the age of 15. GATT supporters, who acknowledge the law would be "GATT-illegal," contend a more effective way to address concerns about child labor would be to approve GATT and then seek a multinational labor standard through the new World Trade Organization. Senators Tom Harkin and Howard Metzenbaum disagree, arguing recently that GATT would actually increase child labor throughout the world. "If a Third World country wants to compete in the global economy, what does it have to compete with? Cheap labor. And the cheapest source of labor is kids," said Harkin, the sponsor of the bill.

"If we are to adopt the GATT treaty ... we must ensure that it addresses the problem of forced child labor," Metzenbaum said. "Otherwise, we send an unmistakable message to U.S. and foreign manufacturers: go right ahead and exploit the world's children, and then bring the fruits of their labor to our markets, and we will meet you with open arms."