The United States has introduced a new round of tariffs affecting imports from 60 of its largest trading partners, replacing the temporary tariff regime that expired on Friday with a new framework based on forced labour enforcement.
The measures impose tariffs of 10% or 12.5% on imports from countries representing approximately 99.4% of total U.S. imports, making them one of the broadest trade actions introduced in recent years.
A New Legal Basis for Tariffs
The latest tariffs differ significantly from the “Liberation Day” tariffs announced in April 2025.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that many of those tariffs had been imposed unlawfully because the President had exceeded the emergency powers relied upon to introduce them. Following that decision, the previous tariffs were replaced by a temporary 10% levy, which expired on Friday.
The new regime instead relies on forced labour enforcement as its legal basis.
According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR):
- Countries that have committed to adopting and effectively enforcing bans on forced labour imports are subject to a 10% tariff.
- Countries that have not made comparable commitments face a 12.5% tariff.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the measures are intended to address both human rights abuses and trade distortions linked to forced labour.
Countries Affected
The tariffs apply to the United States’ 60 largest trading partners, accounting for approximately 99.4% of all U.S. imports.
Major economies affected include:
- European Union
- China
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Mexico
- Japan
- South Korea
- India
- Brazil
- Australia
- Taiwan
- Switzerland
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Indonesia
- Türkiye
- South Africa
Dozens of other trading partners are also covered by the new tariff framework.
While many countries will remain subject to the 10% tariff, those that the USTR considers not to have made sufficient commitments on forced labour enforcement will face the higher 12.5% rate.
Debate Over the Real Objective
Although the administration has presented the measures as a response to forced labour concerns, several trade experts have questioned whether this is the primary policy objective.
The latest measures illustrate how legal strategy has become an increasingly important element of U.S. trade policy.
International Response
The announcement has prompted varied reactions from trading partners.
Brazil described the new 12.5% tariff as unjustified, while Japan expressed regret over the decision and Australia criticised the measures as lacking justification.
China rejected allegations concerning forced labour and reiterated its opposition to unilateral tariffs, maintaining that such measures should not be used for political purposes.
Trade analysts have also suggested that some countries may increasingly seek to diversify export markets and reduce their dependence on the U.S. economy.
Implications for Businesses
For multinational businesses, the latest tariffs reinforce that customs compliance is becoming increasingly intertwined with broader regulatory obligations.
Businesses engaged in international trade should consider:
- Reviewing supply chain due diligence relating to forced labour.
- Assessing tariff exposure across sourcing jurisdictions.
- Monitoring future U.S. trade investigations and potential additional tariff measures.
- Evaluating sourcing strategies and customs planning in light of evolving trade policies.
The United States is also investigating a number of additional countries over alleged manufacturing overcapacity, indicating that further tariff actions could follow.
As governments increasingly combine trade policy with broader compliance objectives, businesses will need to manage legal, customs and supply chain risks together rather than treating them as separate issues.