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U.S. Proposes 10%–12.5% Tariffs on Imports From About 60 Countries Over Forced‑Labour Controls

The USTR says it will use Section 301 to press trading partners on import bans for goods made with forced labour and has opened a public comment period with hearings in July.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer speaks with reporters at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci/File Photo
Bottles of French wine are displayed for sale in a liquor store on October 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer speaks to the media, on the day he attends a working lunch with EU ministers responsible for trade, in Brussels, Belgium, November 24, 2025. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo

Overview

  • The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has proposed additional duties of 10% or 12.5% on imports from roughly 60 economies after finding those governments have not imposed or enforced effective bans on goods made with forced labour.
  • The proposal splits targets into two tiers: a 10% rate for economies with some prohibition or reciprocal commitments and a 12.5% rate for all others, and it sets written comments due July 6 and hearings beginning July 7.
  • USTR chief Jamieson Greer told officials the United States will respect existing tariff caps negotiated with partners such as the European Union and Japan, though a separate probe into excess manufacturing capacity could raise future risks.
  • Trading partners and legal experts immediately rejected the USTR’s findings as unjustified and prepare diplomatic and court challenges, arguing Section 301 may not support broad, multi‑country blanket tariffs.
  • Industry groups and analysts warn the duties could raise costs and disrupt supply chains for hospitals, manufacturers and consumers because many medical devices and other goods come from countries on the USTR list.