New U.S. tariffs targeting 99% of trade could escalate global trade tensions amid forced labor compliance disputes.
The Trump administration plans to impose tariffs on 60 countries for failing to comply with U.S. forced labor laws, according to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The proposed measures would impact 99% of U.S. trade, signaling a broad escalation in trade policy enforcement.
The move follows existing U.S. laws prohibiting the import of goods produced with forced labor. No prior tariffs of this scale have been proposed under similar justifications, though trade restrictions have increased in recent years amid geopolitical tensions.
Markets may react to heightened trade uncertainty, particularly in sectors reliant on global supply chains.