The US Secretary of State released the first US National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct last Friday, outlining how the US government intends to take on human rights and business. While it represents an important step in recognizing the human rights impacts of businesses, the modest plan largely restates the status quo and does not offer any new measures to prevent and address violations...

While the plan has constructive elements, it provides few commitments that will lead to stronger or enforceable standards to hold corporations accountable for human rights abuses. Nor does it address a major question: How will the Trump administration approach these issues? The likely role and influence of business interests on the incoming administration, exemplified by the nomination of Exxon’s Chief Executive Officer Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State, has created fears that they could overturn years of progress on business and human rights issues.