US Imposes Double-Digit Tariffs on Dozens of Countries Over Forced Labor
6 verified3 unconfirmed1 contested
The United States announced Thursday it will impose new tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on dozens of trading partners, citing inadequate enforcement of forced labor bans. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the action aims to correct what he called both a human rights abuse and a distortive trade practice. The new duties take effect under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, replacing a temporary 10% global tariff set to expire Friday. That temporary tariff was imposed after the Supreme Court struck down a broader set of tariffs in February. The administration is also separately investigating 16 economies over alleged excess industrial capacity, which could lead to further tariffs. Some goods, including those entering under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, as well as oil, gas, and fertilizer, are exempt from the new levies. Human rights groups expressed cautious support for the forced labor focus but raised concerns about enforcement and the broad nature of the tariffs.
What’s verified
The U.S. will impose tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on imports from dozens of countries, citing lax enforcement of forced labor bans.
The tariffs fall under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
The new duties take effect as a temporary 10% global tariff expires Friday.
The temporary tariff had been imposed after the Supreme Court struck down earlier tariffs in February.
Goods entering under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, as well as oil, gas, and fertilizer, are exempt.
The administration is separately probing 16 economies over alleged excess industrial capacity.
Where accounts differ
The number of countries affected is reported differently: one source says “more than 80 countries,” while another says “60 countries.” A third source uses the general term “dozens” without specifying a number.
Not yet confirmed
A single source reported that Brazil called the U.S. decision “completely arbitrary” and “unjustified,” and that Australia’s defense minister said the tariffs made “no sense.”
A single source reported that the tariff rate for India was initially set at 12.5% but reduced to 10% after India tightened forced labor enforcement.
A single source reported that U.S. Trade Representative Greer told Senator Elizabeth Warren that the tariffs had not increased prices for American families, and that core inflation fell to 2.6% year on year.
Misconceptions
The tariffs are paid by U.S. companies importing foreign goods, not by foreign governments or exporters. Importers typically pass costs to consumers.
Human rights groups and experts note that while the tariffs can draw attention to forced labor, their effectiveness depends on enforcement mechanisms and transparency.
The sources note that the forced labor focus has prompted some trading partners to adopt or tighten their own import bans.
Key figures
Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative
Donald Trump, U.S. President
Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator (mentioned in a single source)
Martina Vandenberg, founder and president of The Human Trafficking Legal Center (mentioned in one source)
Kenya Davis, partner at Boies Schiller Flexner (mentioned in one source)
Isabelle Glimcher, senior research scientist at NYU Stern Center for Human Rights (mentioned in one source)
Richard Marles, Australia’s Defense Minister (mentioned in one source)
Sources: The Guardian, NPR, dw.com
