US imposes tariffs on 60 trading partners over forced labor concerns
via The Namibian4 min read
The US has implemented new tariffs, ranging from 10% to 12.5%, on 60 trading partners, including the UK, China, the European Union, Canada, Japan, and India. These duties, which came into effect on Friday, target countries the US claims have failed to adequately prevent forced labor. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that this action aims to address both human rights abuses and trade practices that distort markets. The tariffs were imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The Office of the US Trade Representative indicated that the new duties apply to the top 60 US trade partners, covering 99.4% of US imports. Trading partners that have committed to adopting and enforcing bans on forced labor imports will face a 10% tariff, while others will incur a 12.5% rate. Brazil has called the move "unjustified" and "arbitrary," stating it will respond with measures under its "reciprocity law." Japan expressed regret, and Australia's Trade Minister Don Farrell deemed the levies "completely unjustified." China has previously denied allegations of forced labor and opposed unilateral tariffs. Trade policy expert Deborah Elms from the Hinrich Foundation noted that the Trump administration appears determined to continue its tariff strategy, while Wendy Cutler, an economic security expert from the Asia Society Policy Institute, suggested the levies could raise costs for businesses and consumers and might prompt trading partners to seek deals with other countries to redu
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Must ReadThe Democratic Alliance DA entered into a confidential contract with Dubai-based advisory firm Consulum, led by Ryan Coetzee, to manage its operations within the Government of National Unity GNU. This agreement, valued at over $470,000 approximately R7.8 million for six months, ran from September 2024 to February 2025 and was subsequently extended. Consulum's responsibilities included developing strategies for DA ministers, managing communications, training political staff, and chairing meetings of the DA's GNU caucus. Ryan Coetzee, who was CEO of Consulum at the time, played a key role in negotiating the DA's entry into the GNU. He was still marketed as Consulum's CEO more than three months into the DA contract, with his directorship formally ending in June 2025. This arrangement has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and the DA's relationship with lobbyists, particularly given Consulum's past work for controversial clients like the Saudi regime and the Hong Kong government. DA MPs have expressed concern over Coetzee's influence, which reportedly extends beyond coordination to conducting performance reviews of ministers and interviewing prospective executive appointees. While the DA, through spokesperson Jan de Villiers, denied any conflicts of interest and stated that few individuals in the party would have an issue with Coetzee, some insiders suggest his authority has expanded significantly beyond his unelected status. Coetzee himself stated he was cont
Must ReadSouth Africa has labeled as “opportunistic” a petition filed at the International Criminal Court by two Ghanaians. The petition seeks an investigation into attacks on foreigners, arguing the violence could constitute crimes against humanity and accusing the South African government of failing to prevent and punish those responsible. South Africa's foreign ministry stated the petition does not meet the ICC's legal threshold and asserted its own legal system can address such issues. Diplomatic tensions have risen, with Ghana repatriating citizens and claiming one was killed, which South African authorities deny. Other nations like Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and Uganda have also facilitated their citizens' return. Anti-migrant groups had set a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave, leading many foreigners to flee. The South African government reports over 53,000 foreign nationals have been deported or voluntarily repatriated, though an AFP tally suggests more than 160,000 have left. Protesters demand tighter border controls and mass deportations, blaming migrants for unemployment, crime, and strained public services. The UN has cautioned against scapegoating migrants for socioeconomic problems. The ICC petition was filed by Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a former Ghanaian government spokesperson on governance and security, and Emmanuel Kotin, a counter-terrorism and security analyst, alleging a “pattern of widespread and systematic attacks” against migrants. ECOWAS leaders
Must ReadYemen's Houthi fighters have claimed attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, threatening to escalate the Middle East's volatile situation and disrupt a key maritime route from Europe to Asia. This comes amidst ongoing US-Iran strikes and concerns over Saudi Arabia's nuclear industry development. For 13 consecutive nights, US Central Command Centcom has conducted airstrikes on Iranian targets, aiming to diminish threats to civilian mariners and commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The Iran-backed Houthis have reportedly hit two Saudi vessels and warned ships to avoid Saudi ports, impacting the strategic Bab El Mandeb Strait. This disruption, coupled with the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, poses a significant obstacle to vital maritime trade and could impact the global economy. Saudi Arabia has partially mitigated oil export disruptions by using the East-West Pipeline, but Houthi threats now affect shipments through the Bab El Mandeb Strait. US President Donald Trump has vowed to address the Houthis, a Shia tribal group that gained control of much of Yemen since 2014. The Houthis previously attacked what they claimed was Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea from 2023 to 2025, leading to global shipping diversions, increased costs, and military intervention by the US and UK. While Iraq and Syria are more stable, the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula are causing concern. US airstrikes have not deterred Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC from controlling the S