US Proposes 10-12.5% Tariffs on 60 Partners Over Forced Labor

American households face higher costs on everyday imports after the Trump administration proposed new duties on goods from nearly every major trading partner. The move targets supply chains that Washington says allow products made with forced labor to reach US markets.

The US Trade Representative launched investigations in March under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. A subsequent report found that 54 of the 60 partners had failed to enact any legal ban on forced-labor imports, while six others—Canada, the EU, Ecuador, Indonesia, Mexico and Pakistan—had laws on the books but had not enforced them effectively. Proposed rates stand at 10 percent for the six enforcement cases and for several additional partners including the UK, and 12.5 percent for the remaining 45 countries that include China, India and Japan. The tariffs cover partners responsible for almost all US imports.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that the failure to block such goods creates an unlevel playing field for American workers. The duties have not taken effect and remain subject to public comment and administrative review.

The United Kingdom said its Modern Slavery Act already addresses the issue and that it continues to discuss the matter with US officials. China rejected the premise outright, with foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning declaring there is no forced labor in the country and opposing the use of the issue for political purposes. The European Commission called the tariffs unjustified while noting it remains committed to a prior trade understanding with Washington. An Indian analyst described the action as a pressure tactic separate from ongoing negotiations.

The announcement follows a February Supreme Court decision that invalidated earlier tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Administration officials have described the Section 301 route as an alternative path to address the same concerns.