New U.S. tariffs linked to claims of foreign forced labor dismay and anger trading partners
PBS News Hour – Politics — 2026-07-24 11:57:00 — www.pbs.org
Trump’s New Tariffs Spark Global Backlash Over Unfounded Forced Labor Claims
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has triggered a wave of criticism from major trading partners after announcing new tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on goods from 60 economies. The administration justified these tariffs by claiming that the targeted countries failed to adequately enforce bans on goods made with forced labor.
Trading Partners Reject Forced Labor Allegations
Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the European Union, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and China have all strongly objected to the tariffs, with officials labeling the U.S. claims as “completely unjustified” and lacking meaningful evidence. Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell specifically rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to link Australia’s exports to modern slavery, stating that Australia takes the issue of modern slavery seriously and will continue to lobby for the removal of all tariffs on its goods.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon echoed these objections, calling the tariffs “extremely disappointing” and “harmful to trade.” He pointed out that the U.S. investigation underpinning the tariffs did not provide substantial evidence to support the forced labor allegations.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also questioned the U.S. position, noting that European labor laws and conditions are strong and “not really grounded” in the claims made by the Trump administration.
Tariffs Take Effect Amid Legal and Economic Doubts
The new tariffs took effect immediately after the expiration of previous stopgap levies imposed by Trump following a Supreme Court defeat. Japan protested the move, highlighting that the Trump administration had previously reassured Tokyo that no further tariffs would be imposed beyond an earlier agreement.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its opposition to “all forms of unilateral tariffs,” warning that tariff wars do not serve anyone’s interests. Trade tensions between China and the U.S. have already led to a sharp drop in Chinese exports to the U.S. since Trump’s earlier “Liberation Day” tariffs.
Fact-Check: Lack of Evidence for Forced Labor Claims
A key fact-check from the excerpt is that the U.S. investigation cited by the Trump administration as the basis for the tariffs “did not provide meaningful evidence to support allegations of forced labor.” Multiple countries and officials have challenged the validity of the administration’s claims, suggesting that the tariffs are being used as a protectionist tool rather than a genuine response to labor abuses.
Conclusion: International Pushback and Higher Costs
Trump’s latest tariffs have drawn widespread condemnation from America’s trading partners, who argue that the forced labor justification is unfounded and harmful to global trade. Experts warn that while the tariffs are lower than previous rounds, they will still contribute to higher prices for consumers and businesses. The international backlash underscores ongoing concerns about the Trump administration’s use of trade policy and the credibility of its claims regarding labor practices abroad.