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US proposes tariffs on 60 economies, including Switzerland, over forced labor concerns
🇨🇭 Switzerland /Economy & Trade

US proposes tariffs on 60 economies, including Switzerland, over forced labor concerns

From Le Temps · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The U.S. administration under Donald Trump is proposing new tariffs on goods from 60 economies, including Switzerland, China, and the EU, to combat forced labor imports.
  • These proposals aim to establish a stronger legal basis for tariffs after the Supreme Court invalidated previous ones based on a 1977 law.
  • The U.S. Trade Representative is suggesting tariff rates of 12.5% or 10%, depending on a country's efforts to ban forced labor imports, with a public comment period open until July 6.

The United States is moving to impose new tariffs on goods from approximately 60 economies, including Switzerland, China, and the European Union. The Trump administration's proposal targets countries deemed to be insufficiently combating the import of goods produced through forced labor.

This initiative seeks to create a more robust legal foundation for trade restrictions. Previous tariffs, enacted under a 1977 law, were invalidated by the Supreme Court in February. The administration is now exploring alternative legal avenues to reinstate these duties.

The U.S. Trade Representative's office has proposed two tariff rates: 12.5% for countries that have not established a ban on forced labor imports, and a reduced rate of 10% for those with bans deemed insufficient or for countries committed to implementing them. Switzerland is among the nations facing the higher proposed tariff.

"It is unacceptable that our main trading partners are not tackling the import of goods made with forced labor," stated U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The administration is accepting public comments on the proposal until July 6, with hearings scheduled to begin July 7.

It is unacceptable that our main trading partners are not tackling the import of goods made with forced labor.

— Jamieson GreerThe U.S. Trade Representative explains the rationale behind the proposed tariffs.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Temps in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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