How Trump is relaunching a tariff war citing ‘forced labour’ concerns

President Trump has threatened to impose tariffs of 10-12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners, including the UK, EU, and Canada, over alleged failures to address forced labor in imports. This move is seen as an attempt to revive his trade policy after previous tariffs were deemed unlawful by US courts. The EU has responded by stating it expects the US to respect a prior tariff agreement and considers these new tariffs unjustified. The US argues that these measures are necessary to create a level playing field for American workers. The proposed tariffs, which would affect major partners like China and Japan, are based on investigations into labor laws and could be implemented after a public comment period.

The US Trade Representative (USTR) has proposed new tariffs of up to 12.5 percent on imports from 60 economies. This action stems from a Section 301 unfair trade practices investigation, intended to reinstate tariffs previously struck down by the Supreme Court. The USTR cited these economies' alleged failure to curb trade in goods made with forced labor as the grounds for the proposed duties. The USTR stated that American workers are forced to compete on an unlevel playing field due to this issue. Trading partners, including European lawmakers, have rejected these findings, with some calling them "utterly absurd." The proposed tariffs include 10 percent additional duties on imports from Canada, the EU, Mexico, and others, while the remaining 45 countries will face 12.5 percent additional duties.

The Trump administration is proposing additional tariffs of 10% or more on goods from dozens of major trading partners. This action follows a probe into imports allegedly made with forced labor, with the U.S. Trade Representative stating that partners have failed to enforce import bans on such goods. Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom are among those facing a 10% tariff, while China, Japan, India, South Korea, Brazil, and Switzerland, along with others, will face a 12.5% tariff. USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer stated that this is to ensure American workers are not at a disadvantage and that trade does not encourage forced labor. These proposed tariffs are subject to public comment and review and are not immediately effective.

The Trump administration has proposed new tariffs of up to 12.5% on imports from China and 59 other countries. The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) stated on Tuesday that these nations failed to adequately restrict US imports made with forced labor, leading to potential punitive action under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Analysts suggest this move aims to re-establish the US tariff regime following recent legal challenges. Trading partners have criticized this proposal.

The US has announced new tariffs on imports from 54 trading partners due to concerns over forced labor. These tariffs, which have not yet been enforced, follow an investigation launched in March by Greer into whether countries had failed to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor. The investigation concluded that 54 countries had not imposed or effectively enforced such a prohibition. The US trade department will impose 10% tariffs on imports from Canada, the EU, Britain, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Malaysia, and Taiwan. The remaining 45 countries, including China and India, will face 12.5% duties. The UK government stated it is addressing forced labor in its supply chains.