US imposes tariffs up to 12.5% on 60 trading partners, including EU and China, over forced labor goods

The United States has announced new tariffs on 60 key trading partners, accusing them of failing to effectively enforce bans on importing products made with forced labor.

The new tariff package was introduced by the administration of President Donald Trump, further deepening its trade policy, despite the Supreme Court having earlier this year blocked some similar measures. President Trump has repeatedly insisted that his country faces higher tariffs from partners and that increasing them is essential to protect domestic industry and jobs.

Starting July 24, the new tariffs, ranging from 10% to 12.5%, hit major economies such as the European Union, China, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and India. These measures replaced a temporary 10% tariff that was in place on imported goods.

This action represents the latest escalation in the trade conflict reignited by the Trump administration after his return to power. In February, the Supreme Court ruled some tariffs imposed under emergency powers as illegal.

Following that court decision, the US executive sought other legal grounds to continue its tariff agenda. A month ago, the White House suggested tariffs in the 10-12.5% range, claiming that many states are not taking sufficient steps to combat forced labor.

Jamieson Greer, the US Trade Representative, stressed that these measures aim to simultaneously address fundamental human rights violations and unfair trade competition.

“Today’s action will begin to remedy what is both a human rights abuse and a distortion of trade practices, with the aim of improving conditions for workers everywhere,” Greer stated.

The measures are legally grounded in Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which authorizes the US to take countermeasures against trade practices that harm its interests.

According to clarifications from the US administration, trading partners that have shown effectiveness in enforcing bans on forced labor goods will face a 10% tax, while those that have not acted sufficiently will have a 12.5% rate.

The range of affected countries includes the 60 most important US trading partners, which together account for nearly 99.4% of total American imports.

Global trade analysts confirm that the Trump administration is fully committed to pushing forward its tariff strategy.

According to them, this situation could push many countries to seek to reduce their dependence on the US market by expanding trade ties with other allies.

Brazil has sharply opposed the US decision, calling it “unjustified” and “arbitrary,” and accusing Washington of using workers’ rights as a pretext to justify protectionist policies.

The Brazilian government has also warned that it will respond with reciprocal countermeasures, in accordance with its legal framework.

Japan has also expressed regret over the imposition of new tariffs, highlighting that its trade practices are in harmony with international norms.

In the same vein, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell described the tariffs as “completely unjustified” and confirmed that Canberra will pursue the diplomatic path to secure their removal.

For years, Donald Trump has promoted the use of tariffs as a key instrument for protecting American industry and strengthening the domestic economy.

In April 2025, on what he called “Liberation Day,” the president imposed tariffs of up to 50% on a group of trading partners, arguing that the US was a victim of unfair treatment on the global trade stage.

Although some of those tariffs were later struck down by the Supreme Court, the administration has not retreated and has continued to explore new legal bases to impose additional measures.

Meanwhile, trade tensions with China remain high, and the US has turned tariffs into a pressure tool against other countries as well, such as Mexico. Currently, Washington is investigating the trade policies of 16 other states over allegations of industrial overcapacity.