The United States on Friday imposed new tariffs of 10% and 12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners, including the EU and China, just as a temporary 10% global tariff expired. This action, covering 99.4% of U.S. imports, marks a renewed effort to protect domestic capital interests under the guise of addressing alleged forced labor practices abroad.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated the United States has enforced a forced labor import ban for nearly a century. He claimed it's "well past time for our trading partners to do the same," adding that the action would "improve the welfare of workers everywhere." These claims of human rights protection serve as a convenient pretext for economic protectionism. Trading partners, however, deny the accusations that they've failed to curb imports made with forced labor.
Capital's Legal Maneuvers
The new duties, imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, allow the administration to maintain a tariff floor on virtually all U.S. imports. This move came after the U.S. Supreme Court in February of the same year struck down President Donald Trump's previous "reciprocal" duties, which ranged from 10% to 50%. The state, through its legal mechanisms, quickly adapted to ensure the continuity of its protectionist agenda. Section 301 has survived prior court challenges, suggesting a more robust legal foundation for this round of economic warfare. The temporary 10% global tariff expired at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Friday, with the new duties taking effect at that exact moment. Goods already in transit were granted a brief exemption until 12:01 a.m. EDT on July 28, 4 days later.
Specific countries received varying rates. Argentina, Bangladesh, Britain, Cambodia, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago faced a 10% duty. The U.S. alleged these nations had bans or plans to ban forced labor imports but weren't effectively enforcing them. The European Union, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland were assigned rates that, combined with pre-existing most-favored-nation tariffs, totaled 10% or 12.5%. The remaining 38 countries, including Vietnam and China, received a 12.5% rate. Vietnam had issued a new decree this week banning forced labor imports, while China is accused by the U.S. of detaining Uyghur minorities in work camps, an accusation Beijing denies.
Profits Over People
The tariffs include numerous product exemptions, revealing the specific sectors of capital the U.S. government prioritizes. Oil and gas, fertilizer, and certain food items are exempt. Goods already subject to Section 232 national security tariffs, such as autos, steel, aluminum, and copper, are also excluded. Aircraft and parts, along with critical minerals, won't face these new duties. The Antwerp World Diamond Centre welcomed the restored exemption for diamonds, noting its significance for the local diamond sector. Belgium exported $2.1 billion of polished diamonds to the United States in 2024, 2 years ago. These exemptions clearly demonstrate that the tariffs are not a universal stand against "forced labor," but a calculated measure to protect powerful domestic industries and their supply chains.
Responses from other states underscore the economic, not ethical, focus of these policies. A European Commission spokesperson noted "positively" that the outcome aligned with U.S. tariff commitments under the EU-U.S. Joint Statement, providing "positive momentum" for further exemptions. French Trade Minister Nicolas Forissier, while questioning the legal basis, acknowledged the tariffs provided "greater visibility for businesses." Ignacio Garcia Bercero, a former EU chief negotiator, confirmed the U.S. sought to respect EU-U.S. trade deal tariff aspects. Britain, not a target of a separate Section 301 probe into excess capacity, stated the move would have no negative effects, citing "zero tariffs on whisky and medical technology." The British Chamber of Commerce described a "mixed picture," welcoming the removal of whisky tariffs and a lower steel tariff rate.
China opposed all unilateral tariffs, asserting that trade wars serve no party. The Trump administration intends to rebuild tariffs on Chinese goods up to the 20% agreed upon in a trade truce with Chinese President Xi Jinping 8 months ago, in November 2025. Australia and Brazil called the new tariffs unjustified and vowed to seek their removal. Norway found "no basis" for them. Canada, hit 4 days ago on Monday with new Trump tariffs on $20 billion worth of goods, offered a muted response. Dominic LeBlanc, Canada's minister in charge of U.S. trade, pledged "constructive engagement" for "mutual benefit," highlighting the subservience of smaller capital to larger imperial powers.