US imposes forced labour tariffs on 60 countries
Analysis based on 12 articles · First reported Jul 23, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026
The tariffs increase costs for imports from affected countries, potentially raising prices for U.S. consumers and disrupting supply chains. India's lower 10% rate signals a calibrated approach, but ongoing trade tensions may weigh on bilateral trade, which stood at nearly $141 billion in 2025.
On July 24, 2026, the United States, under President Donald Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, imposed tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 on imports from 60 economies for failing to prohibit or effectively enforce bans on goods produced with forced labour. The tariffs range from 10% to 12.5%, with 17 countries including India, Canada, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, and Pakistan receiving the lower 10% rate after adopting forced labour import prohibitions during the investigation. Countries without such prohibitions, including China, Japan, and the European Union, face 12.5% tariffs. The action follows a February 2026 Supreme Court ruling that invalidated previous 'reciprocal tariffs,' leading to temporary 10% tariffs that expired on July 23. India amended its foreign trade policy on June 14 to prohibit forced labour imports, moving it from the 12.5% to the 10% category. The USTR conducted hearings and consultations, receiving over 2,100 public comments. Exemptions apply to certain raw materials, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductor equipment. The tariffs aim to address human rights abuses and trade distortions.
Set up alerts, explore entity relationships, search across thousands of events, and build custom intelligence feeds.
Open Dashboard