US Imposes New Tariffs on 60 Trading Partners Amid Forced Labor Concerns
New levies coincide with expiry of temporary import duty on Britain, raising questions about enforcement and trade strategy.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
The United States has imposed new tariffs on 60 trading partners, citing concerns over forced labor, a move that coincides with the expiration of a temporary 10% import levy previously faced by Britain.
These new levies emerged under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, replacing a temporary 10% import levy on Britain that expired at midnight Eastern Time on July 21, 2026.
Despite this shift, the UK Government maintains that the tariff rate for UK businesses remains unchanged at 10%; the administration's stated rationale for these new tariffs, targeting countries failing to curb forced labor, faces significant scrutiny.
Forced labor, in fact, remains prevalent across the US and receives active state enforcement, with no legal obstacle preventing the export of goods manufactured by prisoners compelled to work against their will.
The 13th Amendment to the US Constitution bans slavery and involuntary servitude, but it includes an explicit exception for work performed as punishment for a crime.
Approximately 800,000 incarcerated individuals in the US perform labor, often under threat of punishment and with minimal protections against exploitation.
Sara Albrecht asserts the administration allowed one global tariff to expire, immediately replacing it with another under a different statute; she argues that changing the statute does not alter the underlying law.
Albrecht further states that every tariff authority possesses limits, which every administration must respect. Jeffrey Schwab claims the legislative provision relied upon by the White House constituted a targeted, country-specific, and practice-specific remedial authority.
Schwab added that it does not function as a freestanding authorization to tax substantially all imports from substantially all countries at pre-established rates. Democrats have accused the administration of leveraging forced labor concerns to bolster its trade strategy.
Linda Sánchez stated, 'If he was serious, he would not be applying the same tariff rate to China, one of the worst forced labor abusers in the world, as he does to countries like Australia.'
If he was serious, he would not be applying the same tariff rate to China, one of the worst forced labor abusers in the world, as he does to countries like Australia. Then again, unlike China, Australia, doesn’t manufacture any Trump corporation products.
Sánchez added, 'Then again, unlike China, Australia, doesn’t manufacture any Trump corporation products.'
Beyond the legal debate, US import duties on Scotch whisky have reportedly been lifted following a presidential announcement in April; the European Union has secured more favorable treatment from the US regarding tariffs.
This preferential treatment follows the EU's implementation of a ban on forced labor goods, a measure the UK has not adopted. Meanwhile, the UK has welcomed imports of Chinese cars and explores a services trade deal with China.
China's total dollar trade with the US remained flat in the first half of this year compared to last year; however, its trade across the world increased by 21%.
A Harris Poll survey for the Guardian earlier this year found that 70% of Americans reported paying more due to tariffs; a majority of voters, including 60% of Republicans, stated tariffs negatively affected consumers.