Trump announces double-digit tariffs on 60 countries over forced labour concerns

US President Donald Trump is pressing ahead with new double-digit tariffs on dozens of US trading partners just as temporary levies are set to expire on Friday. The United States will impose taxes of 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 countries, which account for 99% of US imports, claiming these nations have inadequately enforced bans on goods produced by forced labour.

The new tariffs take effect as temporary 10% worldwide tariffs expire at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Trump had imposed those temporary tariffs after the Supreme Court struck down his earlier, larger tariffs in February. Now he is using Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the president to impose import taxes and other sanctions on countries found to engage in "unjustifiable", "unreasonable" or "discriminatory" trade practices. Trump previously used Section 301 to impose tariffs on China.

Some countries have tightened forced labour enforcement and qualified for lower rates, a senior administration official said. For instance, the tariff on imports from India was initially set at 12.5% but will now be 10%. Products exempted include oil, gas, and fertiliser, as well as goods qualifying for duty-free status under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Tariffs are paid by US importers, who typically pass costs to consumers. Human rights observers express cautious optimism, noting that while tariffs can draw attention to forced labour, their effectiveness depends on enforcement. According to the International Labour Organization, about 27.6 million people were in forced labour worldwide in 2021.