The United States has announced a new round of tariffs on 60 trading partners, including Pakistan, citing concerns over forced labour practices. The measures, introduced by the Trump administration, will take effect on Friday, replacing a temporary global tariff that is set to expire.
The newly announced tariffs range from 10 percent to 12.5 percent, affecting several major economies, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the European Union. According to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the United States has long enforced strict laws banning imports made through forced labour and believes its trading partners should adopt similar standards.
Countries that have either implemented a ban on forced labour imports or pledged to do so will face the lower 10 percent tariff. This group includes Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Canada, Malaysia, Mexico, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Argentina, and the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea will be subject to the higher 12.5 percent tariff, although some economies, including the European Union, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland, have received partial relief under previously negotiated trade agreements with Washington.
The latest tariffs follow a months-long investigation and come after the US Supreme Court struck down several earlier tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. In response, the administration relied on alternative legal authority to introduce temporary duties while preparing a more legally durable framework.
The new policy has drawn criticism from several countries. Japan described the tariffs as regrettable, while Australia called them unjustified and inconsistent with its free trade agreement with the United States.
Certain products, including steel, aluminum, selected energy goods, fertilizers, and items covered under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), will remain exempt from the new measures.
Trade experts believe the tariffs strengthen Washington’s negotiating position while increasing pressure on trading partners to comply with US trade policies. Analysts also expect the measures to remain in place throughout President Trump’s term unless successfully challenged in court.
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