Panama excluded from U.S. list facing new tariffs on forced labor goods

Panama has been excluded from a list of 60 countries that will face new U.S. tariffs on goods produced with forced labor. The tariffs, set to take effect Friday, are part of a new trade policy championed by President Donald Trump.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the measures, which target nations allegedly failing to effectively prohibit imports made with forced labor. The U.S. investigation into such practices prompted the imposition of these new levies.

While key trading partners like Canada, Mexico, the European Union, and the United Kingdom will face a 10% tariff, countries including China, India, and Japan, along with over 40 other economies, will be subject to a 12.5% tariff. Panama's exclusion signifies that its exports will not be impacted by these specific tariffs under the current announcement.

This decision means Panamanian exports will continue to trade with the United States without facing these additional costs, at least based on the measures currently outlined by the U.S. administration.