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The Trump administration announced late Thursday that it would proceed with new tariffs of 10 percent to 12.5 percent on 60 economies, an Associated Press report stated. These duties take effect as stopgap 10 percent levies imposed after a Supreme Court defeat expire on Friday. The measures target countries the administration says have failed to adequately enforce bans on goods made with forced labor.
Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell rejected any connection between Australia and modern slavery. “We believe that amongst all of the countries in the world Australia does take the issue of slavery, modern slavery, seriously, and will continue to do that,” Farrell told reporters in Adelaide. Japan protested the 12.5 percent rate applied to its exports, noting that the Trump administration had previously assured Tokyo there would be no additional tariffs beyond an earlier 10 percent agreement.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called the tariffs on his country extremely disappointing, unjustified and harmful to trade. “Tariffs are not the way — they drive up costs and uncertainty for businesses,” Luxon wrote on X. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas questioned the U.S. position in comments to Channel News Asia, contrasting European labor laws that include paid vacations and strong worker protections with those in the United States.
Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry reiterated that it does not condone forced labor and said it would continue to engage the United States Trade Representative to explore options. South Korea’s trade ministry indicated the announcement had eased some uncertainty over U.S. trade policy while noting that a Section 301 investigation into alleged excess production continues. Officials in Seoul said they would maintain close communication with the United States to preserve a mutual balance of benefits.
The U.S. investigation that served as the basis for the tariffs did not provide meaningful evidence to support the allegations of forced labor, several affected governments responded. The administration moved forward regardless, according to the Associated Press dispatch carried by outlets including PBS NewsHour. Trading partners warned that the policy would increase costs for businesses and consumers while disrupting established supply chains.
This action follows a pattern of tariff adjustments that began after the Supreme Court struck down prior measures, forcing the temporary levies now being replaced. South Korea’s trade ministry noted the ongoing Section 301 probe even as it welcomed reduced uncertainty from the latest announcement. Similar diplomatic outreach has been signaled by Singapore, Japan and New Zealand in response to the duties.
