US imposes tariffs on dozens of trade partners over ‘forced labour’ imports

The United States has levied new tariffs on 60 of its trading partners, encompassing the overwhelming majority of its imports, citing their alleged failure to adequately prohibit goods produced through forced labor. These duties, ranging from 10% to 12.5%, target significant economic players including the United Kingdom, China, the European Union, Canada, Japan, and India. The measures are set to take effect on Friday, coinciding with the expiration of a temporary 10% tax on foreign goods that was implemented earlier this year. This action represents a further escalation in the global trade tensions that have been reignited by US President Donald Trump since his return to office last year.

The US Supreme Court had previously ruled that many of the tariffs imposed globally under emergency executive powers were enacted unlawfully. In response, the President has been actively seeking alternative avenues to advance his signature trade policy. Last month, the White House first signaled its intent to introduce a series of 10% to 12.5% duties on goods arriving on American shores from dozens of countries, driven by concerns that these nations were not sufficiently addressing the issue of forced labor. On Thursday, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, acting under President Trump’s directive, confirmed that these duties would indeed be implemented.

"Today’s action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and distortive trade practice to improve the welfare of workers everywhere," Greer stated in a press release. He invoked Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, a statute that empowers the US to enforce trade practices deemed to burden or restrict American commerce. This move follows a different precedent set earlier in the week, when the Trump administration utilized Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose a substantial 50% tariff on products originating from Canada.

The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) elaborated on Thursday that the latest tariffs are being imposed on partners "for their failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour." The USTR further specified that these new duties are applicable to the top 60 US trade partners, collectively representing 99.4% of all US imports. The office underscored President Trump’s commitment to making the adoption and enforcement of a ban on forced labor imports a "critical" component of reciprocal trade agreements with other nations. As of the announcement, ten trading partners had reportedly agreed to incorporate such a ban into their agreements, while other countries had independently implemented bans in response to recent US investigations.

The USTR outlined a tiered tariff structure: trading partners that have "made commitments to adopt, and effectively enforce" bans on forced labor imports will face a 10% tariff, whereas those that have not will be subject to the higher rate of 12.5%. Greer expressed optimism, stating he was "encouraged by the trading partners who have moved quickly to adopt forced labour import prohibitions, and look[ed] forward to ensuring their effective enforcement."

Deborah Elms, a trade policy expert at the Hinrich Foundation, commented that the new levies underscore the Trump administration’s "determination" to pursue its tariff strategy. She expressed skepticism that countries facing these tariffs would be able to adequately demonstrate sufficient measures to prevent the import of goods produced by forced labor. Wendy Cutler, an economic security expert at the Asia Society Policy Institute, predicted that the levies would likely increase costs for businesses and consumers, though the impact might be somewhat mitigated by exemptions for certain goods. Cutler also anticipates that most affected trading partners will react with disappointment and will likely seek to "reduce their dependence on the US market" by forging new trade relationships with other countries.

Several nations have already voiced their dissent. Brazil’s government labeled the US move "unjustified" and "arbitrary," asserting that Washington had chosen to "manipulate an issue of great importance" to workers’ rights to further its protectionist trade agenda. Brazil, now subject to a 12.5% US tariff, has indicated it will respond with measures under its "reciprocity law" and explore alternative trade partnerships. This action follows a separate 25% US tariff imposed earlier this month on furniture, machinery, sugar, and other imports from Brazil, though certain goods like beef and coffee remain exempt.

The Japanese government, in a statement on Friday, expressed its "regret" over the new US tariffs, emphasizing that its trade practices align with international norms. Similarly, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell described the levies as "completely unjustified" and pledged to continue advocating for the removal of all US duties on Australian goods.

President Trump has consistently argued that tariffs serve to protect American workers and bolster the US economy. In April 2025, he imposed tariffs of up to 50% on global trading partners, a move he termed "Liberation Day," aimed at addressing what he perceived as unfair trade treatment of the United States. However, the US Supreme Court’s decision in February invalidated these tariffs, ruling that the president had exceeded his constitutional authority, leading to tens of billions of dollars in refunds.

Consequently, the White House has explored alternative methods for imposing import duties. This includes a broad 10% levy that served as a temporary measure set to expire on Friday, as well as targeted tariffs on countries like Brazil and Canada. The ongoing tariff dispute between the US and China, characterized by retaliatory measures, is currently on hold. President Trump has also utilized tariffs as leverage to press countries, such as Mexico, on non-trade related issues. The administration’s trade enforcement actions may extend further, as it is currently investigating 16 countries, representing the vast majority of US imports, for alleged manufacturing overcapacity.