The United States has announced new tariffs on 60 trading partners over concerns related to forced labour practices.
The new duties will take effect on Friday and replace the temporary global tariff introduced earlier this year by President Donald Trump.
According to the announcement, the revised tariff rates range from 10 percent to 12.5 percent.
Major economies affected by the decision include China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the European Union.
The move marks another significant step in the Trump administration’s effort to reshape US trade policy.
Tariffs Linked to Forced Labour Standards
The new tariff structure is based on whether trading partners have adopted restrictions on goods produced through forced labour.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said, “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.”
He also noted that the countries affected by the decision account for the majority of US trade.
Under the new framework, countries that have implemented a forced labour import prohibition, or committed to introducing one, will face the lower 10 percent tariff.
These include Canada, the European Union, India, and the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, China, Japan, South Korea, and dozens of other economies will face the higher 12.5 percent tariff.
New Measures Replace Expiring Global Tariff
The latest tariffs replace a temporary 10 percent global duty that expires on Friday.
That earlier measure was introduced after the US Supreme Court struck down several tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in February.
Following that ruling, the administration relied on alternative legal authorities to temporarily restore the 10 percent tariff.
However, the law only permitted those duties for 150 days.
As a result, the newly announced tariffs will now replace the expiring measure.
Officials said the revised duties followed a months-long investigation and were designed to withstand potential legal challenges more effectively.
Some Trading Partners Receive Limited Relief
Although several economies face higher tariff rates, some countries will receive limited exemptions.
The European Union, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland have been granted relief under previously negotiated trade agreements with the United States.
In addition, products already subject to sector-specific tariffs, including steel and aluminum, will not be affected by the latest measures.
Certain energy products and fertilizers are also exempt.
Goods covered under the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement will remain outside the scope of the new tariffs.
Countries React to the New Tariffs
The announcement prompted immediate reactions from several affected governments.
Japanese government spokesman Minoru Kihara said Tokyo “regrets” the tariffs because the higher rate was imposed “solely on the grounds that there is no ban on the import of products produced through forced labour.”
Meanwhile, Australia’s Trade Minister Don Farrell described the tariffs as “unjustified,” arguing they are “inconsistent with our free trade agreement, and should be removed.”
The responses reflect growing concern among trading partners over the latest US trade measures.
More Trade Investigations Underway
The United States is also investigating 16 economies over concerns related to excess industrial capacity.
Those investigations could result in additional tariffs in the future.
If implemented, future duties may vary from one country to another depending on the findings.
The ongoing investigations also allow the United States to maintain leverage during trade negotiations with its partners.
Trade Policy Continues to Evolve
The latest tariff announcement follows several recent trade actions by the Trump administration.
Earlier, the United States imposed a 25 percent tariff on various Brazilian goods over alleged unfair trade practices.
In addition, Trump announced new 50 percent tariffs on many Canadian products, citing what the administration described as discriminatory treatment of American alcohol, automobiles, and dairy products.
Despite these developments, the European Union has expressed confidence that Washington will honor the commitments outlined in the EU-US Joint Statement.
The latest tariffs highlight the Trump administration’s continued focus on strengthening trade enforcement while increasing pressure on international trading partners through revised import policies.
