US imposes new tariffs on dozens of countries over 'forced labour' claims
President Donald Trump has announced new 10-12.5% tariffs on 60 economic partners, including the EU, India, and China, citing failures to prevent forced labor. These measures replace expiring global tariffs and are designed to be more legally resilient under Section 301 of the Trade Act.
Why it matters
These broad tariffs represent a significant escalation in US trade policy, likely impacting global supply chains and international diplomatic relations.
US President Donald Trump is imposing new double-digit tariffs on 60 economic partners over claims they failed to prevent forced labour.The new duties, ranging from 10 to 12.5%, take effect Friday and will replace the global 10% tariffs Trump introduced earlier this year, which expire at 12.01AM on the same day.The levies announced on Thursday will affect dozens of US trading partners, including major economies like China, India and the European Union, accounting for 99% of its imports.The 60 economic partners include the European Union as one single entity, meaning the total number of countries affected is more than 80."The United States has had a forced labour 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 said.Last year, Trump imposed double-digit tariffs on imports from almost every country in the world, arguing…
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