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

The Trump administration has proposed fresh tariffs of 10 to 12.5 percent on imports from 60 major trading partners, citing their alleged failure to block goods produced with forced labor. The move targets nearly every significant supplier to the US market, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, India, and China.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer framed the duties as necessary to protect American workers from unfair competition. Officials said an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act found that most partners either lacked strong import bans on forced-labor goods or failed to enforce them. Six entities, including Canada and the EU, were singled out for weak enforcement rather than missing laws altogether.

The announcement follows two court setbacks for the administration’s earlier tariff plans. The Supreme Court struck down broad “liberation day” duties in February, and a trade court later ruled against a subsequent 10 percent across-the-board levy. The new proposal is widely viewed in Washington as an attempt to restore protectionist measures through a different legal route.

European officials immediately rejected the justification. The EU said the tariffs violate the spirit of last year’s trade agreement and warned they would damage transatlantic supply chains. The United Kingdom stated it already maintains robust rules against forced labor imports. China dismissed the claims outright, insisting its exports comply with international standards.

Consumer groups and economists noted that the tariffs would apply to everyday goods ranging from electronics and clothing to auto parts and machinery. Because the 60 partners account for virtually all US imports, analysts expect higher retail prices once the duties take effect. The measures are still subject to public comment and review, so they will not be imposed immediately.

Critics inside and outside government argue the timing and scope suggest the forced-labor rationale serves mainly as cover for reviving Trump’s long-standing preference for broad trade barriers. Previous tariff rounds, also justified on national-security or economic grounds, produced documented cost increases for US manufacturers and households before many were rolled back or struck down.

Trading partners have begun preparing responses. Some are weighing retaliatory duties, while others may seek exemptions through bilateral talks. The EU has already signaled it will insist the United States honor existing commitments rather than layer on new charges.

For American importers and retailers, the uncertainty adds another variable to already strained supply chains. Businesses that shifted sourcing after earlier tariff rounds now face the possibility of another round of cost pressures passed along to consumers. The administration has not detailed how it intends to verify improvements in partner countries’ forced-labor enforcement before any tariffs are lifted.