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US unveils new tariffs on 60 partners over forced labor concerns
🇯🇲 Jamaica /Economy & Trade

US unveils new tariffs on 60 partners over forced labor concerns

From Jamaica Observer · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • The U.S. will impose new tariffs on 60 trading partners, ranging from 10 to 12.5 percent, effective Friday.
  • These tariffs replace an expiring global duty and aim to address forced labor concerns, with rates varying based on countries' actions against forced labor imports.
  • The move, intended to rebuild President Trump's tariff authority after a Supreme Court setback, has drawn swift condemnation from target countries like Japan and Australia.

The United States announced Thursday it will impose new tariffs on 60 trading partners, effective Friday, as part of President Donald Trump's effort to rebuild his trade agenda. The levies, ranging from 10 percent to 12.5 percent, target major economies including China, India, and the European Union, and are intended to address concerns over forced labor.

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.

— Jamieson GreerUS Trade Representative Jamieson Greer explaining the rationale behind the new tariffs.

U.S. 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 targeted economies represent the majority of U.S. trade.

This action follows a Supreme Court decision that limited the president's ability to impose tariffs. The new duties, initially proposed in June, are designed to be more resistant to legal challenges than previous measures. Countries that have implemented or committed to a forced labor import prohibition will face the lower 10 percent rate, while others like China and Japan will face the higher 12.5 percent tariff. Some economies, including the EU and South Korea, will receive relief based on existing trade pacts.

regrets

— Minoru KiharaJapanese government spokesman Minoru Kihara commenting on the tariffs imposed on Japan.

The tariffs immediately drew criticism. Japan's government spokesman Minoru Kihara expressed regret, calling the higher rate unjustified. Australia's trade minister Don Farrell decried the tariffs as inconsistent with their free trade agreement. Goods already subject to sector-specific tariffs, such as steel and aluminum, will be exempt, as will certain energy products, fertilizers, and goods covered by the US-Mexico-Canada free trade pact.

unjustified

— Don FarrellAustralia’s trade minister Don Farrell describing the U.S. tariffs.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jamaica Observer in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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