The Trump administration plans to impose new tariffs of 10% or more on goods from approximately 60 trading partners [1], [2].
These measures target global supply chains to prevent products made with forced labour from entering the U.S. market. The move signals a shift toward aggressive trade enforcement linked to human rights standards, potentially disrupting trade relations with dozens of allies and adversaries alike.
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the proposal in June 2024 [1], [2]. The administration intends to levy these duties on countries where forced labour is allegedly integrated into the production of exported goods [1], [3].
The scope of the investigation is broad, covering about 60 economies [1]. While the USTR has not finalized every target list, the proposed tariff rate for most of these partners is 10% or more [2].
There is conflicting information regarding the status of certain North American partners. Reports from CBC News state that Canada is included in the list of economies under investigation [1]. However, The Globe and Mail reported that Canada is not among the targeted countries [1].
U.S. officials said the tariffs are necessary to address concerns that forced labour remains a persistent issue in international trade. By increasing the cost of imports from these regions, the administration aims to incentivize trading partners to clean up their supply chains, and adhere to international labour standards [1], [2].
The initiative follows a broader pattern of using trade levers to enforce non-economic policy goals. The USTR is tasked with identifying specific goods and regions where these labour violations are most prevalent before the tariffs are formally implemented [2].
“The Trump administration plans to impose new tariffs of 10% or more on goods from approximately 60 trading partners.”
This policy represents a transition from targeted sanctions against specific entities to broad-based tariffs against entire national economies. By linking trade access to labour conditions across 60 different partners, the U.S. is leveraging its market power to force global supply chain transparency. If implemented, these tariffs could increase the cost of consumer goods and create significant diplomatic friction, particularly if close allies like Canada are included in the enforcement actions.
