Forced Labor Crackdown: US to Impose Tariffs on 60 Countries

The Trump administration has announced that it will impose increased tariffs on dozens of countries due to their failure to enforce the United States’ prohibition on importing products produced with forced labor.

Source: cdnph.upi.com

According to a statement from U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, his office is imposing new tariffs on 60 economies, including the European Union, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and Mexico, among others. These countries were investigated for their alleged use of forced labor, with at least 45 of them being consulted on the matter.

The new tariffs will range from 10% to 12.5%, with trading partners that have already adopted forced labor import prohibitions facing a 10% tariff. Those that have not adopted prohibitions will be subject to a 12.5% tariff.

The Trump administration has been cracking down on countries that use forced labor, with President Donald Trump ordering the USTR to investigate the 60 nations in March. This move is part of a broader effort to address human rights abuses and distortive trade practices.

USTR’s office stated that there will be exemptions to the new tariffs, which will be based on whether the products can be grown or produced in the United States or if the tariff will affect availability or the domestic economy.

Greer emphasized the importance of enforcing the forced labor import ban, stating that the United States has had such a ban for nearly a century and rigorously enforces it. He added that it is ‘well past time’ for the country’s trading partners to do the same.

The announcement comes as the Trump administration continues to push for a more aggressive approach to trade and human rights. The new tariffs are expected to have a significant impact on the global economy, with many countries relying heavily on trade with the United States.

In a statement, Greer said, ‘Today’s action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and distortive trade practice to improve the welfare of workers everywhere.’

The new tariffs are set to take effect immediately, with the USTR’s office stating that they will be enforced based on trading partners that ‘have already moved quickly to adopt forced labor import prohibitions.’

Greer added that the United States has a long history of enforcing its forced labor import ban, and that it is ‘well past time’ for its trading partners to do the same.