US Imposes Tariffs on 60 Countries Amid Forced Labor Investigation
The US Trade Representative (USTR) announced new tariffs on 60 countries as part of an investigation into forced labor practices, which the agency considers detrimental to the American economy.
The levies came into effect July 23, replacing a previous 10 percent import tax that had expired under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. This new round of tariffs targets countries including long-standing US allies like Australia and New Zealand, which have signed trade agreements with the Trump Administration.
Australia's Trade Minister Don Farrell expressed disappointment, stating that 'higher tariffs are completely unjustified' and vowing to lobby the USTR to remove all tariffs on Australian goods.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called the move 'extremely disappointing,' arguing that the US investigation did not provide meaningful evidence to support claims of forced labor. He also stated that tariffs drive up costs and uncertainty for businesses.
The European Union, Japan, and China have all condemned the US trade policy, with the EU's Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas noting that its labor laws are more stringent than those in the US.