The US has proposed new tariffs of 10-12.5% on dozens of countries accounting for almost all its imports over fears they are not doing enough to address forced labour. This is the second time the administration of President Donald Trump has imposed new import charges since the U.S. Supreme Court slapped down many of his prior penalties in February.
The US Trade Department stated these countries will be subjected to the duties because of their inability to address the importation of items created with forced labour. The UK argued it was addressing forced labour, China said no items were produced using forced labour and the EU said the taxes were unwarranted.
The decision was a pressure tactic while trade negotiations between the two continue, said one India analyst. Human rights groups claim forced work is taking place in China and that the UK and other nations need to do more to ensure companies don’t have forced labour in their supply chains.
But many were doubtful whether US tariffs were an effective way of tackling the problem. The list includes 60 trading partners, such as the UK, the EU, Canada, India and Japan, which account for almost all goods sold to the US.
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