Story perspectives

U.S. Proposes 10-12.5% Forced-Labor Tariffs on 60 Nations

6/3/2026

Summary

Greer Proposes Tariffs

Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative, proposed 10% or 12.5% tariffs on imports from 60 partners for forced-labor violations.
A 10% duty targets Canada, Mexico, European Union (EU), UK, Taiwan, Indonesia, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Malaysia; a 12.5% duty targets China, Japan, India, South Korea, Brazil, Switzerland, Australia and 45 lacking enforcement.
Comments accepted until July 6, hearings on July 7, and exemptions cover products, minerals, metals, beef, coffee, pharmaceuticals, and aircraft parts.

Summary

Canada Announces Reforms

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced forced-labour legislation will be introduced in the coming weeks.
Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Canada submitted proposals to the U.S. when the USMCA review begins on July 1, seeking a 16-year renewal.
Ottawa is reversing Online Streaming Act of 2023 rules that services fund Canadian content, easing a trade dispute.
The government will not retaliate against U.S. tariffs as negotiations continue on autos, metals and wood products.

History

Historical Context

Section 307 of the 1930 Tariff Act gave the United States authority to block imports made with forced labor, a power reinforced when the 2016 Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act removed the consumptive-demand exemption. USTR Jamieson Greer’s proposal to levy 10-12.5 % duties on 60 partners and Canadian PM Mark Carney’s forced-labor bill echo that precedent. The 1930 act once raised average tariffs to about 47 %.

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Greer Proposes Tariffs

Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative, proposed 10% or 12.5% tariffs on imports from 60 partners for forced-labor violations.
A 10% duty targets Canada, Mexico, European Union (EU), UK, Taiwan, Indonesia, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Malaysia; a 12.5% duty targets China, Japan, India, South Korea, Brazil, Switzerland, Australia and 45 lacking enforcement.
Comments accepted until July 6, hearings on July 7, and exemptions cover products, minerals, metals, beef, coffee, pharmaceuticals, and aircraft parts.

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