US imposes new tariffs on 60 trading partners over forced labor concerns

The United States announced Thursday it will impose new tariffs on 60 trading partners, citing concerns over forced labor. These levies, ranging from 10 to 12.5 percent, replace an expiring global duty and take effect Friday.

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The United States has had a forced labor import ban for nearly a century, and rigorously enforces it; it’s well past time for our trading partners to do the same.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated, “The United States has had a forced labor import ban for nearly a century, and rigorously enforces it; it’s well past time for our trading partners to do the same.” The tariffs were proposed after a months-long investigation and are considered more legally robust than earlier measures.

Economies that have implemented a forced labor prohibition will face the lower 10 percent rate, including Canada, the EU, and the United Kingdom. Countries like China and Japan will receive the higher 12.5 percent tariff. Goods already subject to sector-specific tariffs or covered by the US-Mexico-Canada free trade pact are exempt.

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This makes it much more likely that they stay for the duration of Trump’s term.

Trade lawyer Greta Peisch noted that maintaining a baseline tariff while threatening further duties preserves leverage over trading partners and encourages compliance with trade agreements. Josh Lipsky of the Atlantic Council suggested this signals a move toward a more protectionist global economy.

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much more protectionist world’s largest economy