The US Trade Department has flagged 60 countries for what it says is insufficient action against forced labour, and plans to levy 10% to 12.5% tariffs on key trading partners including China, Vietnam, Bangladesh and India.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative has released a detailed assessment of allegations against dozens of nations, proposing comprehensive tariff measures in response to what officials characterize as inadequate enforcement of forced labour protections. The investigation encompasses a broad spectrum of merchandise, with particular focus on apparel, footwear and textile products destined for American markets.
Scope of Investigation and Tariff Proposals
A comprehensive list of 60 countries now faces potential trade consequences, among them significant commercial partners including China, Vietnam, Mexico, India, the United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union. The USTR’s position centers on the assertion that these nations have failed to establish and maintain effective enforcement mechanisms against the production and importation of goods manufactured through forced labour practices.
According to the trade office’s analysis, this enforcement gap creates an unequal competitive environment. The USTR maintains that the listed countries’ “failure to impose and effectively enforce” rules addressing forced labour is generating “unfair competition” within American commerce. Products subject to these proposed tariffs span multiple sectors of the global supply chain, reflecting the breadth of the investigation into forced labour enforcement across international trade networks.
Official Response from Trade Leadership
Trade Representative Jamieson Greer articulated the administration’s concerns regarding the current state of international compliance with forced labour enforcement standards. “The failure of our most important trading partners to address the importation of goods made with forced labour is unacceptable,” Greer stated, emphasizing that American workers operate under disadvantageous conditions when competing against products manufactured under such circumstances. The official further noted that continued acceptance of this disparity would no longer be tolerated.
Greer acknowledged that certain trading partners have initiated measures to prevent forced labour goods from entering their markets, citing progress through existing frameworks and reciprocal trade agreements. However, he stressed that all trading partners must intensify their efforts to prevent trade mechanisms from inadvertently supporting or perpetuating forced labour practices globally.
International Trading Community Responds
The proposed tariffs and forced labour enforcement accusations have generated significant reactions from affected nations and trade organizations.
The chair of the European Union’s trade committee responded publicly through social media, characterizing the accusations as “absurd.” The statement emphasized that the EU has implemented what it considers the world’s most rigorous regulatory framework against products manufactured through forced labour. The trade committee official suggested the accusations appear designed to provide legal justification for tariff decisions that had already been predetermined.
In the United Kingdom, leadership at the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade described the announcement as “disappointing but not surprising,” noting that the development would introduce additional uncertainty throughout the UK trading sector. The organization’s director general emphasized the importance of continued governmental engagement with American trade authorities on this matter, referencing recent successful diplomatic efforts regarding other sectoral disputes and the foundational UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal.
Broader Context of Trade Tensions
This action follows shortly after the US Supreme Court invalidated import tariffs that had been announced by the administration in February 2026. The timing of this forced labour enforcement initiative suggests a renewed focus on trade remedies and international compliance mechanisms, even as previous tariff measures face judicial challenges.
The investigation into forced labour enforcement across international supply chains reflects broader tensions in global commerce, where production standards and labor practices have become increasingly central to trade policy deliberations. The proposed tariffs on apparel, footwear and textile products sectors historically associated with forced labour concerns indicate a targeted approach to forced labour enforcement within industries identified as higher-risk.
