USTR 'Forced Labor' Section 301 Tariff Adds 12.5% on China, Stacks on Existing Duties

Summary

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative imposed a new Section 301 tariff citing 'forced labor' concerns, effective July 24, adding 12.5% on Chinese-origin goods (including mainland and Hong Kong) and replacing the expiring 10% Section 122 tariff. The levy stacks fully on prior 2018 Section 301 duties — a product already at 25% now faces 37.5% — while sitting separate from Section 232 measures. Most medical devices remain outside the exemption list, raising supply-chain cost for pharma and device importers.