Trump's latest tariff salvo no fix for global issue of forced labor

The Trump administration’s latest tariff salvo targets trade partners accused of failing to crack down on forced labor, but experts say the move will do little to fight modern slavery. The plan would impose 10% or 12.5% duties on imports from about 60 countries under a Section 301 review designed to revive emergency tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court in February. Critics say the measure could worsen supply-chain frictions without addressing root abuses.

Trade partners have rejected the assertion that their laws fail to curb forced labor. The plan comes as the United States points to international estimates from the International Labour Organization, which put the number of people in forced labor at 27.6 million, up 2.7 million since 2016. Nearly half of these cases are in export-related sectors such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, fishing and mining.

EU policymakers have warned that Washington’s tariffs on EU goods could provoke retaliation, noting that Brussels’ forthcoming Forced Labour Regulation, due in December 2027, would raise the bar for proof and could have broader reach than U.S. rules. The European Commission says the U.S. plan is unjustified, while rights groups warn that tariffs risk only political signaling rather than real improvements.