The U.S. plans to impose tariffs on goods from 60 countries citing forced labor; China and Europe strongly oppose

Foreign Media: U.S. Plans to Impose Tariffs on 60 Countries Over Forced Labor, China and Europe Strongly Oppose

The Trump administration cited Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, alleging forced labor, and plans to impose punitive tariffs on 60 economies including China. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) accused these countries of failing to effectively prohibit goods made with forced labor from entering the U.S. market.

In terms of specific tariff rates, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and Vietnam will face a 12.5% tariff; the European Union, the UK, Canada, and Mexico, having already committed to implementing relevant restrictions, will be subject to a lower rate of 10%.

China denounced the U.S. investigation findings as a pretext for "political manipulation"; Bernd Lange, Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade, called the U.S. conclusions "absurd," emphasizing that the EU already has one of the strictest regulations globally against products involving forced labor.

Analysts believe this move also represents a new attempt by the Trump administration to rebuild its tariff system following recent setbacks in court. The public comment period for the proposal ends on July 6, with hearings scheduled for July 7.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1867078790685706/

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