Washington (TDI): The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has proposed new import duties targeting around 60 economies, including Pakistan, India, and several major trading partners, over what it describes as failures to adequately prevent goods linked to forced labour from entering their markets.
According to a government filing, the proposed tariffs would range between 10 percent and 12.5 percent, depending on the country. The measure is currently open for public consultation before any final decision is taken.
The proposal follows a series of investigations launched by Washington into the trade practices of multiple partners, including China, the European Union, and Japan. These probes examined whether governments were effectively enforcing bans on imports produced through forced labour and whether such goods were affecting US domestic markets.
In its findings, the USTR said 54 economies had failed to properly impose or enforce prohibitions on forced labour-linked imports. This list includes China, Vietnam, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and India.
A further six economies, including Canada, Ecuador, the European Union, Indonesia, Mexico, and Pakistan, were assessed as not having effectively enforced such prohibitions, according to the agency.
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US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the lack of enforcement by key trading partners was “unacceptable,” arguing that it places American workers at a disadvantage and distorts global competition.
He added that the United States would no longer tolerate conditions that allow forced labour-linked goods to circulate in international trade, stressing that all partners must take stronger action to prevent such practices.
Under the proposal, a 10 percent tariff would apply to imports from countries in the second category, including Pakistan, Canada, Mexico, the European Union, and others. A higher 12.5 percent duty would be imposed on the remaining countries identified in the investigation.
However, the measures include several exemptions. Products such as beef, coffee, and selected fruits and nuts would be excluded, while goods covered under North American trade agreements would also be exempt in the case of Canada and Mexico. Certain textile and apparel categories are also expected to be spared.
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The announcement comes at a time of renewed tariff activity in Washington, following legal challenges to previous trade measures introduced during the Trump administration. A temporary 10 percent tariff imposed earlier this year is set to expire in July, adding further uncertainty to global trade relations.
Countries affected by the proposal have been invited to submit written comments by July 6, after which the USTR will hold public hearings before finalizing its decision.
