The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has proposed new import duties targeting 60 economies over alleged failures to effectively address forced labour in global supply chains.
The proposed tariffs, announced Tuesday, range between 10 percent and 12.5 percent and will be subject to a public comment process before any final decision is taken.
According to the USTR filing, the move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to strengthen its trade policy following recent legal setbacks to previous tariff measures.
The agency said it had identified 54 economies as having “failed to impose and effectively enforce a forced labour import prohibition.” These include China, Vietnam, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.
A further six economies — Canada, Ecuador, the European Union, Indonesia, Mexico and Pakistan — were assessed as not effectively enforcing existing prohibitions on forced labour-linked imports.
USTR Jamieson Greer said the situation was unacceptable, arguing that it distorts global trade and disadvantages American workers.
“The failure of our most important trading partners to address the importation of goods made with forced labour is unacceptable,” Greer said. “This creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field.”
The proposal includes exemptions for certain goods such as beef, coffee, fruits, nuts, textiles and apparel. Goods from Canada and Mexico that comply with the North American free trade agreement would also be exempt.
The USTR has opened a public consultation period, allowing written submissions until July 6, after which hearings will be held before a final decision is made.
The proposal follows a series of trade investigations launched by the US into partners including China, the European Union and Japan, focusing on forced labour practices and their impact on American commerce.
It also comes after the US Supreme Court struck down parts of earlier tariff measures in February, prompting renewed efforts by Washington to redesign its trade enforcement strategy.
