‘Completely arbitrary’ — US trade partners slam Trump’s forced labour duties

The Trump administration has decided to impose new tariffs of 10 percent and 12.5percent on goods from 60 trading partners, including China, India and the European Union, over allegations of lax enforcement of forced labour bans, just as a temporary 10percent global tariff expires.

The new tariffs, announced on Thursday in a Federal Register notice, will cover 99.4percent of US imports, but include numerous product exemptions, such as oil and gas, fertiliser and certain food items.

A number of US trading partners have begun responding to the decision made by the US.

Japan

Japan “regrets” new US tariffs, the government said on Friday, after Tokyo was included on Washington’s list of trading partners hit with levies ranging from 10 to 12.5 percent.

“Japan’s industry and trade are conducted in accordance with international rules. Japan regrets that this latest measure imposes tariffs on Japan solely on the grounds that there is no ban on the import of products produced through forced labour,” chief government spokesman Minoru Kihara said.

Brazil

Brazilian government rejected the tariffs, calling the move “completely arbitrary” and “unjustified”, according to a statement.

“Lacking a legal basis under domestic law to support its protectionist trade policy, the U.S. Trade Representative chose to manipulate an issue of great importance to human rights and workers’ rights movement,” said Brazil, whose exports to US will be levied at 12.5 percent under the measure.

Brazil added it will immediately start procedures to trigger the response instruments under its “Reciprocity Law”, and will take the matter before the World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement mechanism.

Australia

Australia said the new tariffs announced by the US made no sense and the government was disappointed with the decision that would make the current duties rise to 12.5 percent from 10 percent for the country.