US imposes tariffs on dozens of trade partners, citing forced labour concerns

The US has imposed new tariffs on 60 trading partners, accounting for the vast majority of its imports, over claims they failed to properly stop forced labour.

The duties, ranging from 10% to 12.5%, target key economic partners – including the UK, China, the European Union, Canada, Japan and India. They came into effect on Friday, as a temporary 10% tax on foreign goods introduced earlier this year expired.

The move is the latest escalation in the global trade war reignited by US President Donald Trump when he returned to office last year.

The US Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that many of the tariffs imposed globally under emergency powers were illegally enacted.

The president has since sought other ways to pursue his flagship trade policy.

Last month, the White House proposed 10%-12.5% duties on imports from dozens of countries over concerns they were not doing enough to tackle forced labour.

On Thursday, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, acting under Trump’s direction, said those duties would now take effect.