Story perspectives

US Proposes 10-12.5% Forced-Labour Tariffs on 60 Nations

6/4/2026

Summary

U.S. Tariffs

U.S. proposes 10%-12.5% tariffs on 60 partners citing forced-labour concerns.
The tariffs impose 10% on EU, UK, Canada, Mexico, Taiwan and 12.5% on China, Japan, India, Brazil, Switzerland.
USTR Jamieson Greer says the tariffs protect American workers, hearings July 7 and comments due July 6.
EU and UK deem tariffs unjustified and urge respect for July trade agreement.
Canada’s PM Mark Carney notes a CUSMA carve-out exempts about 90% of Canadian exports.

Summary

Treasury Reports Tariffs

Treasury reported tariff revenues of $31 billion in October 2025 and $22 billion in March and April 2026.
The tariffs rely on Section 301 of 1974 Trade Act, which survived Supreme Court’s February ruling on emergency-powers tariffs.
A textile mechanism will allow apparel and textile imports at reduced tariffs, though quota specifics were not disclosed.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that rates should return to prior levels within five months because Section 301 offers legal footing.

Summary

U.S. Delegation Finalizes

A U.S. delegation in New Delhi is finalizing a trade deal after last year’s high tariffs on India.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the key details of the bilateral agreement were already settled.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spent four days in India in May to repair diplomatic ties strained by the tariffs.
Analysts warn the new tariffs could further complicate the broader U.S.–China rivalry and ongoing negotiations.

History

Historical Context

Section 301, the trade-enforcement tool created by the 1974 Trade Act, was revived in 1999 through the Super 301 amendment, giving the USTR a 90-day window to negotiate before launching investigations. The Biden administration now mirrors that precedent, applying 10-12.5 % Section 301 tariffs to the EU, UK, Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, China, Japan, India, Brazil and Switzerland.

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U.S. Tariffs

U.S. proposes 10%-12.5% tariffs on 60 partners citing forced-labour concerns.
The tariffs impose 10% on EU, UK, Canada, Mexico, Taiwan and 12.5% on China, Japan, India, Brazil, Switzerland.
USTR Jamieson Greer says the tariffs protect American workers, hearings July 7 and comments due July 6.
EU and UK deem tariffs unjustified and urge respect for July trade agreement.
Canada’s PM Mark Carney notes a CUSMA carve-out exempts about 90% of Canadian exports.

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