US President Donald Trump has unveiled plans for a fresh wave of tariffs targeting 60 nations, including the United Kingdom and the European Union, over allegations of forced labour in supply chains. The proposed levies range from 10% to 12.5% and are designed to pressure countries that, according to the US Trade Department, have failed to adequately address the importation of goods produced through forced labour.
Legal and Political Context
This move represents the latest escalation in Trump's trade policy following a landmark ruling by the US Supreme Court in February, which declared his earlier "liberation day" tariffs illegal. In response, the administration imposed a blanket 10% tariff on all imports worldwide, effective from February 24. However, that measure was also struck down by the US trade court, a decision currently under appeal.
The new tariffs would affect key US trading partners, including Canada, Japan, Norway, Taiwan, India, and the UK. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated: "The failure of our most important trading partners to address the importation of goods made with forced labour is unacceptable. This creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field. We will no longer tolerate this disparity."
Consultation Process
The US is now entering a consultation phase, with hearings scheduled for July 7. The investigation into the 60 trading partners was launched due to their alleged failure to impose and effectively enforce prohibitions on importing goods produced with forced labour.
UK Response
Eleanor Lyons, the UK's independent anti-slavery commissioner, expressed disappointment, noting that "UK law does not go far enough to tackle forced labour in supply chains. The UK imports around £20 billion of goods each year that may be linked to forced labour." She urged the government to adopt proposed legislation banning goods made from forced labour and requiring businesses to prevent such practices in supply chains.
A UK government spokesperson responded: "We're tackling forced labour in the UK and in global supply chains to ensure UK businesses are not complicit in forced labour and human rights violations. We continue to engage regularly with the US administration as part of our negotiations, and have made clear the actions we're taking. The preferential access that UK businesses benefit from under our existing agreement remains in place and there is no change to the UK's tariff rate."
