U.S. Tariffs on 60 Countries Proposed Over Forced Labor
U.S. tariffs on 60 countries would impose 10.0%-12.5% forced-labor duties and could prompt investors to reprice import-cost and supply-chain risk.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- USTR proposed across-the-board tariffs on imports from about 60 trading partners.
- A two-tier schedule would impose 10.0% duties for banned economies and 12.5% for others.
- The move would replace expiring global levies and elevate import-cost and supply-chain risk for multinationals.
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The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) proposed tariffs on imports from 60 countries on June 2–3, 2026, applying a two-tier duty linked to an investigation of goods allegedly made with forced labor. The plan would replace expiring global levies and increase trade risks for multinational companies.
Tariff Proposal and Coverage
The USTR proposal targets imports from about 60 trading partners, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Mexico, and Taiwan. It sets a two-tier tariff schedule: a 10.0% duty for economies that have adopted full or partial prohibitions on forced-labor trade and a 12.5% duty for others. The tariffs would apply broadly across products from most major trading partners rather than focusing on specific sectors.
Legal and Timing Context
The proposal follows a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the administration’s earlier “reciprocal tariffs” program. Officials present forced-labor authority as a new legal basis for raising duties. The tariffs require completion of USTR’s procedural steps and presidential approval before taking effect. The plan is timed to coincide with the expiration of an existing global tariff levy in late July, effectively rolling over tariff coverage under a new legal rationale.
The measure is an executive-branch trade action under existing authority and does not seek new congressional approval. The announcement has drawn attention from investors and political figures, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as companies and trading partners evaluate potential supply-chain disruptions and increased import costs.
