Trump Administration Rolls Out New Forced-Labor Tariffs on 80+ Nations

At 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on the Friday after a temporary 10 percent global tariff expired, the United States imposed new duties of 10 percent or 12.5 percent on goods from more than 80 trading partners. The measures, issued under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, are presented as a response to “inadequate enforcement of forced-labor bans” by those countries. The schedule mirrors the coverage of the expiring global levy, affecting roughly 99.4 percent of U.S. imports.

The Irish Times

In February, the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” 10- to 50-percent tariffs imposed under a national-emergency declaration. The administration then enacted a flat 10 percent global tariff for 150 days, invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act. That temporary measure lapses at 4.01 a.m. Irish time on July 28, prompting the new Section 301 duties. Earlier in June, the Office of the United States Trade Representative had proposed tariffs on 59 countries and the EU for the same forced-labor rationale; the current rollout expands that list to over 80 economies.

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• Countries covered: > 80, including the EU, Brazil, China, Egypt, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, and Australia.

The Guardian

• Rate structure: 10 percent on imports from nations deemed to have “adequate” anti-forced-labor laws; 12.5 percent on those judged “inadequate.” India was moved to the lower rate.

The Guardian

• Scope: Tariffs apply to goods representing 99.4 percent of U.S. imports.

New York Times

• Exemptions: Oil, gas, fertilizer, certain foodstuffs, automobiles, steel, aluminium, copper, and products already subject to Section 232 national-security duties; goods qualifying under the USMCA are also exempt.

The Irish Times

• Related measures: A separate 50 percent tariff on a range of Canadian products is slated to begin on August 19.

New York Times

U.S. producers say the tariffs give them an unfair advantage. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that Canada will consider retaliatory steps if a trade war escalates.

The Irish Times

U.S. Representative Linda Sánchez called the tariffs a “sham,” arguing the administration is using the forced-labor rationale to circumvent the Supreme Court’s ruling. Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles described the measures as “nonsensical,” while supporting the broader goal of eliminating forced labor.

The Guardian

• “The specific authorities this administration is using have changed, but the trade strategy has not,” — Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative

New York Times

• “We are intensifying our trade negotiations with the United States and will not hesitate to defend our interests if we have to,” — Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister

The Irish Times

• “President Trump isn’t serious about combating forced labor. He’s trying to make an end-run around the Supreme Court and Congress to reimpose his illegal tariffs,” — Linda Sánchez, U.S. Representative (California)

The Guardian

• “These tariffs are unjustified, inconsistent with our free-trade agreement and should be removed,” — Don Farrell, Australian Trade Minister

The Guardian

• The 12.5 percent tariffs on Australian exports take effect at 12:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on July 24.

The Guardian

• The 50 percent tariffs on selected Canadian goods become active on August 19.

The Irish Times

• Goods in transit under the expiring 10 percent global tariff remain exempt until July 28, after which the new Section 301 rates will fully apply.

The Irish Times

These actions represent the administration’s latest effort to enforce a forced-labor framework in U.S. trade policy, prompting diplomatic pushback from key allies.

The Guardian