[Focus] Trump imposes new global tariff bomb citing 'forced labor'; 'America First' doctrine merely changes its guise

The Donald Trump administration announced new tariffs on goods from 60 economic blocs globally, citing inadequate measures against imports produced with forced labor. The tariffs range from 10% to 12.5% and were imposed on Tuesday, according to U.S. local time.

Major international media outlets, including the Financial Times and AP, characterized the move as the U.S. re-establishing global tariff barriers. They noted that the legal justification for these new tariffs was altered, coinciding with the expiration of previous universal tariffs. The U.S. Trade Representative's office (USTR) stated that the action was taken to address the issue of forced labor in global supply chains.

The administration's justification centers on the argument that these countries have not sufficiently prevented the entry of goods manufactured under forced labor conditions. This initiative is presented as part of a broader "America First" policy, aiming to protect domestic industries and workers by imposing stricter trade regulations on international partners.