US proposes tariffs on 60 economies, including Pakistan over forced labour concerns

The move comes after Washington initiated wider investigations in recent months into several trading partners, including China, the European Union and Japan

WASHINGTON:(UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-June 3rd, 2026) The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has proposed new import duties targeting around 60 economies, including Pakistan and India, over allegations of insufficient action against forced labour, as part of efforts by the Trump administration to revive its tariff strategy following recent legal setbacks.

An official filing said that the proposed tariffs range between 10 percent and 12.5 percent. The plan will now enter a public consultation phase before a final decision is taken.

The move comes after Washington initiated wider investigations in recent months into several trading partners, including China, the European Union and Japan, examining whether they had taken adequate steps to prevent the import of goods produced using forced labour and whether such practices were affecting US trade.

On Tuesday, the USTR stated that 54 economies had “failed to impose and effectively enforce a forced labour import prohibition.” This list includes China, Vietnam, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

Separately, six economies — Canada, Ecuador, the EU, Indonesia, Mexico and Pakistan — were said to have not effectively enforced such restrictions.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

USTR official Jamieson Greer said the failure of key trading partners to address forced labour-linked imports was “unacceptable,” arguing that it places American workers at a disadvantage in global markets.

He added that this creates an uneven competitive environment for US industry.

The proposed tariff framework includes certain exemptions, such as beef, coffee, and selected fruits and nuts. Goods from Canada and Mexico that comply with the North American trade agreement would also remain exempt, along with specific textile and apparel categories.

The USTR has invited written public comments until July 6, after which hearings will be conducted before finalising the measures.

Following a Supreme Court ruling in February that struck down parts of former President Donald Trump’s tariff regime, US authorities began pursuing new trade investigations to establish more durable tariff structures. These include separate probes into global industrial overcapacity alongside the forced labour-related review.