Trump Administration Poised to Expand Tariffs Over Forced-Labor Concerns

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that the administration expects to announce additional trade duties “soon.” He indicated that a decision could be made within the week, though he declined to give a precise timetable. The remarks come as several of President Donald Trump’s existing import levies are scheduled to expire later this week.

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In February, the Trump administration imposed a blanket 10 % tariff on a wide range of imports under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, shortly after the Supreme Court invalidated the earlier “liberation-day” tariff regime. Those Section 122 duties are set to lapse at 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday unless Congress intervenes, an outcome analysts deem unlikely.

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The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has drafted a proposal to levy duties of up to 12.5 % on goods from 60 economies under Section 301 of the same 1974 law. The proposed tariffs are framed as a response to alleged forced-labor practices abroad.

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Greer explained that he must brief Congress and other stakeholders before any public announcement, limiting his ability to provide a detailed schedule. He emphasized that “the U.S. has laws to prohibit trading goods with forced labor” and argued that many trading partners either lack comparable statutes or fail to enforce them effectively.

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• “We expect to see some action soon,” — Trade Representative Jamieson Greer

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• “I can't really specify a timeline right now. I have responsibility to brief Congress and other stakeholders before I really reveal that kind of thing,” — Trade Representative Jamieson Greer

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• “The U.S. has laws to prohibit trading goods with forced labor,” — Trade Representative Jamieson Greer

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• “Other countries, most don't have a law. Those that do don't really enforce it.” — Trade Representative Jamieson Greer

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