USTR Proposes Section 301 Tariffs on 60 Economies Over Forced Labor Trade Practices

Summary

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on June 2 proposed Section 301 tariffs of up to 12.5% on imports from 60 economies that have not implemented or effectively enforced forced-labor import bans. Economies with partial bans face a 10% rate; those without any regime face 12.5%, including the UK whose US-UK trade deal had set a 10% baseline. A public hearing is set for July 7, with USTR aiming to finalize the measure before the 10% IEEPA tariff expires on July 24. China condemned the move as unilateral, while the EU called the rationale 'unjustified'.