The Trump administration is proposing tariffs of 10% or more on dozens of major trading partners following a probe into alleged forced labor. The U.S. Trade Representative announced the move as part of a Section 301 unfair trade practices investigation involving 60 economies, including China, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and the Philippines.
Under the proposal, a 10% duty rate would apply to economies that have adopted a full or partial prohibition on forced labor trade, while a 12.5% levy would be imposed on all other economies. Products from major economies such as China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and Switzerland would be subject to the 12.5% rate.
This initiative is a major step in President Donald Trump's push to rebuild the sweeping tariff wall that was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in February. The administration is moving quickly to reinstate country-by-country tariffs after the court tore down previous duties less than four months ago.
The proposal targets several economies, including the EU and UK, potentially reopening trade tensions shortly after Brussels and Washington reached a deal. The EU has hit back at the threats, stating its rules for banning imports and exports linked to forced labor are among the most stringent in the world. There are concerns that these new levies could unsettle trade partners currently negotiating or having recently signed trade deals.