The United States has announced plans to impose new tariffs on imports from 60 major trading partners, citing concerns that they have not done enough to prevent the importation of goods produced with forced labour.
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The proposed duties, ranging from 10% to 12.5%, mark the second major tariff initiative by President Donald Trump’s administration since the US Supreme Court struck down many of its earlier import taxes in February.
According to the US Trade Department, the measures are aimed at countries that have failed to adequately prohibit or enforce restrictions on goods linked to forced labour. The 60 economies identified account for approximately 99.4% of US imports and include key trading partners such as the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, India, Japan and China.
Findings of US Investigation
The tariff proposal follows an investigation launched in March by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer into whether major US trading partners had taken sufficient action against forced-labour imports.
The resulting report found that 54 countries had failed to establish and effectively enforce legal bans on the importation of goods produced wholly or partly through forced labour. It also concluded that six others — Canada, the European Union, Ecuador, Indonesia, Mexico and Pakistan — had not effectively enforced existing prohibitions.
Greer said the practice creates unfair competition for US workers.
“American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field,” he said.
The tariffs have not yet taken effect and must go through a formal implementation process before they can be enforced.
Countries Facing Proposed Duties
Under the proposal, imports from Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Malaysia and Taiwan would face a 10% tariff.
The remaining 45 countries, including China and India, would be subject to a higher 12.5% duty.
International Pushback
Several governments quickly rejected Washington’s justification for the measures.
A UK government spokesperson said Britain was actively addressing forced labour risks both domestically and within international supply chains, adding that discussions with the US administration were continuing.
China denied allegations that goods produced with forced labour enter its export supply chains. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing opposed unilateral tariffs and rejected what she described as attempts to politicise the issue.
The European Commission also criticised the proposal, describing tariffs imposed on those grounds as unjustified while reaffirming its commitment to implementing trade commitments agreed with Washington last year.
India Questions Legal Basis
In India, trade analyst Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative argued that New Delhi should challenge the legal foundation of the proposed tariffs.
He said the measures appeared to stretch the scope of Section 301, the US law used to investigate and respond to trade practices considered unfair. Srivastava characterised the move as part of broader US pressure tactics and said it should remain separate from ongoing trade negotiations.
Latest Move in Trump's Trade Agenda
The announcement comes months after the Supreme Court ruled that Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, introduced in April 2025, were unlawful.
Following that ruling, the administration introduced a temporary global tariff of 10%, though Trump and other officials have repeatedly said the rate could eventually rise to 15%.
The temporary measure is currently due to expire in July unless Congress acts to extend it.
The latest proposal signals the administration’s continued focus on using trade policy to address labour and supply-chain concerns while increasing pressure on major US trading partners.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 3 June 2026
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