The United States said Thursday it would slap new tariffs on dozens of countries over allegations of lax enforcement of forced labor bans.
The levies range from 10% to 12.5% and impact major economies like China, India and the European Union.
"The United States has had a forced labor import ban for nearly a century, and rigorously enforces it; it's well past time for our trading partners to do the same," said US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
"Today's action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and distortive trade practice to improve the welfare of workers everywhere," he added.
The new duties will take effect Friday just as a temporary 10% global tariff expires.
