The United States has announced plans to impose new tariffs ranging from 10 to 12.5 per cent on imports from about 60 countries, citing concerns over forced labour in global supply chains….
The United States has announced plans to impose new tariffs ranging from 10 to 12.5 per cent on imports from about 60 countries, citing concerns over forced labour in global supply chains.
The move, unveiled under the administration of President Donald Trump, targets major trading partners including the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, India, Japan and China, which collectively account for nearly all goods imported into the US.
According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the proposed tariffs follow an investigation launched in March into whether these countries had taken adequate steps to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labour.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the practice creates unfair competition for American workers.
“It creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field,” Greer stated.
Under the proposal, a 10 per cent tariff would apply to imports from countries including the UK, EU member states, Canada, Indonesia, Mexico and Pakistan, among others.
A higher rate of 12.5 per cent would be imposed on goods from 45 other countries, including China and India.
The report underpinning the decision found that 54 countries failed to enact legal prohibitions on forced labour imports, while six others—including Canada and the EU—were accused of failing to effectively enforce such measures.
However, the tariffs have not yet taken effect, as the US government must complete a formal process before implementation.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions globally.
The UK government said it is actively tackling forced labour both domestically and across supply chains, while China rejected the allegations, insisting there is no forced labour within its borders.
The European Commission also criticised the proposed tariffs as “unjustified”, maintaining that the bloc remains committed to its existing trade agreements with Washington.
Trade analysts have suggested the move could be part of broader US pressure tactics in ongoing negotiations.
An Indian trade expert, Ajay Srivastava, argued that the tariffs stretch the legal scope of US trade law and advised India to consider challenging the measure.
The development marks the second major tariff initiative by the Trump administration since the US Supreme Court struck down several earlier duties in February, ruling that the so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs imposed in 2025 were unlawful.
The proposed tariffs are expected to further strain global trade relations if implemented, particularly as they affect countries responsible for more than 99 per cent of US imports.
