US implements new tariffs on goods from over 60 countries, citing forced labor concerns
via Le Matin3 min read
The United States has imposed new tariffs of 10% or 12.5% on certain products from approximately 60 countries, effective Friday at 00:01 04:01 GMT. Goods already en route to the US will be exempt if they arrive before July 28, 00:01. China, among the countries facing a 12.5% tariff, has expressed opposition to these new taxes and any "trade war." The European Union, subject to a 10% tariff, welcomed the outcome as consistent with US commitments in last year's trade agreement between Brussels and Washington, according to the European Commission. Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Norway have criticized these new customs barriers. These surtaxes replace temporary 10% tariffs imposed in February by the Trump administration after the Supreme Court annulled most surtaxes decreed since its return to the White House. The new measures stem from an investigation launched in mid-March by US Trade Representative USTR Jamieson Greer to determine if US trading partners had eliminated products from forced labor from their supply chains. Greer stated on CNN that the goal is to end trade in such products, ensuring fair competition. Countries with legislation deemed incomplete by the US, including the EU, UK, Mexico, and Canada, face a 10% tariff on some products. Approximately 40 other countries, such as China, Japan, Switzerland, and South Korea, will see their products taxed at 12.5%. Energy and raw materials not produced in the US are expected to be excluded. International trade lawyer Gr
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