The USTR proposed 10% additional duties on imports from 15 partners, including Canada, the European Union, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, and the UK. These trading partners had plans or partial plans in place, or had committed to addressing forced labor, but their results were considered insufficient by Washington.
The trade agency said it would impose additional 12.5% duties on the remaining 45 countries that it investigated, which include major economies like India, China, and South Korea.
Many of US trading partners have responded to the proposal. The European Commission said the tariffs are unjustified and do not comply with a trade deal the EU sealed with Washington last year. Beijing said it opposed all unilateral tariffs and rejected accusations of forced labor in China. Canada, the UK, and Taiwan (China) said they will continue to work with Washington to protect existing trade agreements.
The USTR will accept public comments until July 6 and hold hearings about the proposed actions on July 7, before reaching a final decision.
