Overview
- The U.S. Trade Representative unveiled the proposal on Tuesday, June 2, calling for roughly 12.5% duties on about 45 countries and 10% on partners such as the EU, United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico.
- The proposal is not final and is open to public comment through early July with formal hearings scheduled to begin in Washington on July 7.
- Officials say the duties are framed as punishment for weak action against imports made with forced labor and are intended to protect American workers from unfair competition.
- The plan would spare many sensitive products, listing exemptions that include semiconductors, beef, coffee and fruit.
- Major trading partners have protested and the move sits alongside ongoing U.S. litigation over earlier emergency tariffs that could trigger reimbursement claims estimated as high as $166 billion.