With previous import taxes struck down by the courts or set to expire, the Trump administration announced a new set of tariffs ranging from 10 to 12.5 percent on 60 trading partners, including the EU. This time around, the administration is accusing dozens of countries of failing to enforce bans on forced labor as a justification. Quoted by the New York Times, Peter Harell says the small difference between tariffs gives away the labor investigation as a smokescreen, and that, shockingly, “It’s not really about forced labor.” [Link: Trump administration to impose new global tariffs | https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-impose-forced-labor-duties-friday-temporary-10-us-tariffs-expire-2026-07-23/ | Reuters]

Trump plans 10-12.5pc duties on 60 countries over forced labour

WASHINGTON, July 22 — The United States is set to impose new tariffs that could hit dozens of countries soon, trade envoy Jamieson Greer signaled yesterday, with President...