US Imposes Tariffs on 60 Trade Partners to Curb Forced Labour

Mon Sep 14 2026 16:17:22 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The United States enforces new duties on 60 key import partners, arguing the move protects workers and boosts domestic manufacturing.

President Donald Trump’s administration has introduced a set of tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on goods from 60 countries, each representing 99.4% of U.S. imports. The measure, invoked under Section 301 of the Trade Act, targets partners who have not enforced bans on forced‑labour imports. While U.S. officials claim it will encourage fair trade and protect workers, economists warn that consumer prices may rise as importers pass the costs forward. Washington’s move follows a Supreme Court ruling that previous emergency tariffs were illegal, prompting a new legal strategy. The Trade Representative has already hinted at further duties on countries with over‑capacity industries later this year.

US Imposes Tariffs on 60 Trade Partners to Curb Forced Labour

On Friday the United States launched a new set of duties on goods from 60 countries, each accounting for 99.4% of U.S. imports, in a move aimed at forcing large economies to enforce bans on forced labour.

President Donald Trump pointing his finger.

President Donald Trump has once again turned a trade policy into a human‑rights campaign, arguing that these tariffs will raise U.S. manufacturing jobs and protect workers worldwide.

The new duties, mostly set under Section 301 of the Trade Act, range from 10% for partners who have pledged enforcement, to 12.5% for those still lagging.

Already the U.S. Supreme Court ruled many earlier emergency tariffs illegal, prompting Washington to craft this new legal route.

Economists warn that the cost to consumers could rise, as importers pass the fees on to shoppers.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Trade Representative is eyeing further moves, targeting countries with overcapacity industries later this year.

FluxDaily’s timeline scan suggests that in one future the tariffs trigger a manufacturing boom that offsets cost increases, while in another, global supply chains fracture and prices skyrocket.