The United States has introduced new tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on numerous countries, citing insufficient action against forced labor practices. This marks the second instance of the Trump administration implementing new import duties since the Supreme Court invalidated several of its prior tariffs in February.
Among the 60 affected trading partners are the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, India, and Japan, which collectively represent a significant majority of the goods imported into the United States. The U.S. Trade Department has indicated that these tariffs will be enforced due to the countries’ inadequate measures to prevent the importation of products made using forced labor. Critics argue that the tariff strategy under Trump has led to increased prices both domestically and internationally.
The U.S. government maintains that engaging in trade with nations that utilize forced labor in their production processes places American workers at a disadvantage. Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, emphasized that such trade practices create an uneven competitive landscape for American employees.
This tariff announcement follows a U.S. investigation launched in March concerning the 60 trading partners, which account for 99.4% of U.S. imports, focusing on the forced labor issue. After completing the investigation, the Trade Department concluded that all 60 countries had “failed both to impose a legal prohibition on the importation of goods produced wholly or in part with forced labor and to effectively enforce such a prohibition.”
Since the Supreme Court’s decision in February that deemed the so-called ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs imposed by Trump in April 2025 illegal, the administration has refrained from announcing any new tariffs. Trump criticized the ruling as “terrible,” labeling the justices who overturned his trade policy as “fools.”
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, Trump did declare a temporary global tariff of 10%, which he later suggested would increase to 15%. Ultimately, the duty was set at 10% and has not yet been raised, although Trump and other officials have indicated that a hike to 15% is planned. This measure is set to expire in July unless Congress decides to extend it.
