- A higher tariff of 12.5 per cent has been proposed for goods imported from the remaining countries covered by the investigation
- The announcement comes ahead of the expiration of a temporary 10 per cent tariff introduced in February
- The USTR also indicated that several categories of products would be exempt from the proposed duties
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed new import tariffs on goods from 60 economies, citing concerns over the continued flow of products allegedly linked to forced labour practices.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the proposal, announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), follows an investigation conducted under Section 301 of U.S. trade law, which examines unfair foreign trade practices affecting American commerce.
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Under the plan, imports from several major trading partners, including Canada, Mexico, the European Union, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia, would face an additional 10 per cent duty.
A higher tariff of 12.5 per cent has been proposed for goods imported from the remaining countries covered by the investigation.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the move was necessary to address what Washington views as inadequate efforts by trading partners to prevent products made with forced labour from entering global supply chains.
According to the USTR, such practices place American businesses and workers at a disadvantage by creating unfair competition in international markets.
The proposed measures form part of the administration’s broader effort to reshape U.S. trade policy following a court ruling earlier this year that invalidated certain emergency tariffs previously imposed under presidential powers.
In addition to the tariffs, the trade agency is considering a separate mechanism for textile and apparel imports that would allow a specified volume of goods to enter the U.S. at lower tariff rates, although further details have not yet been disclosed.
The announcement comes ahead of the expiration of a temporary 10 per cent tariff introduced in February after legal challenges affected the administration’s earlier trade measures.
The USTR also indicated that several categories of products would be exempt from the proposed duties. These include energy products, rare earth materials, selected metals, pharmaceuticals, aircraft components, coffee, beef and certain agricultural goods.
The agency has opened a public consultation process on the proposal, with submissions expected through early July before a public hearing is held to consider feedback from businesses and stakeholders.
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