The United States said on Thursday it would impose new tariffs on dozens of countries accused of being lax in enforcing forced labor sanctions.
The levy ranges from 10% to 12.5% and affects major economies such as China, India and the EU.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said, “The United States has had and rigorously enforced a ban on forced labor imports for nearly a century; it is time for our trading partners to do the same.”
“Today’s action will begin to correct both human rights abuses and distorted trade practices to improve the welfare of workers everywhere,” he said.
The new charges will come into effect from Friday as soon as the temporary 10% global tariff expires.
Which countries and goods will be affected by Trump’s new tariffs?
A US official told reporters that:
- Most countries are subject to a higher 12.5% tariff, including China and Japan
- There are some restrictions on forced labor in those countries, including Canada. and united kingdomWill face a lower 10% tariff
- Goods already face sector-specific tariffs, such as steel and aluminumthere will be exemption
- Goods coming under the US-Mexico-Canada agreement will also be exempted.
Trump’s new wave of global tariffs
The move is the latest attempt by President Donald Trump to renew pressure for sweeping global tariffs after the US Supreme Court struck down their “reciprocity” duties in February.
In response, Trump imposed a temporary 10% tariff Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 – a law designed to ease the balance of payments crisis – for 150 days which expires on Friday.
Trump is now turning to more sustainable Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974Which authorizes the President to impose tariffs and other sanctions on countries found to engage in “unfair,” “unfair,” or “discriminatory” trade practices.
Edited by: Carl Sexton
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