US imposes tariffs on 60 economies over ‘forced labour’ claims, sparking global backlash

Summary

The US Trade Representative's office on 23 April imposed tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on 60 countries and territories under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, citing 'forced labour' allegations. The tariffs took effect on 24 April. Canada, the EU and the UK face a 10% rate; China, Japan and South Korea 12.5%.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas questioned the allegations. Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said the tariffs were unjustified and should be removed. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon condemned the lack of evidence.

Brazil announced countermeasures and filed a complaint at the WTO. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian opposed the unilateral tariffs. Experts say the move is protectionist.

Commentary

New Zealand faces a 12.5% tariff under the US’s latest Section 301 duty, citing forced labour allegations. While some food and agricultural products are exempted, core dairy and meat exports may not be covered by the exemption list. Small and medium-sized exporters need to check specific tariff codes.

Giants like Fonterra have processing plants in the US, limiting direct trade exposure, but the tariff move undermines the rules-based trading system, posing a greater threat to small trade-dependent economies like New Zealand. Another risk: if major powers erect additional barriers under human rights pretexts, NZ’s reputation for high-standard agricultural products could suffer collateral damage. The government has voiced opposition; businesses should accelerate diversification into RCEP markets and the EU/UK, reducing reliance on the US.

Keywords: forced labour, Section 301 tariffs, trade protectionism, United States, European Union, China, trade war, countermeasures, Australia, New Zealand

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

美国贸易代表办公室4月23日依据《1974年贸易法》第301条，以“强迫劳动”为由对60个国家和地区征收10%至12.5%关税，24日生效。加拿大、欧盟、英国适用10%；中国、日本、韩国等适用12.5%。欧盟外交与安全政策高级代表卡拉斯质疑指控，澳大利亚贸易与旅游部长法雷尔称关税无道理应取消，新西兰总理拉克森谴责缺乏证据，巴西政府宣布反制并提交WTO。

中国外交部发言人林剑反对单边关税。专家认为此举是贸易保护主义。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

美国以‘强迫劳动’为由对60个经济体加征新关税，新西兰面临12.5%税率。尽管部分食品农产品获豁免，但核心乳肉出口可能不在清单，中小型出口商需核查具体税号。恒天然等巨头在美有加工厂，直供贸易占比不高，然而关税风向动摇规则框架，对新西兰这类依赖贸易的小经济体威胁更大。

另一风险在于，若大国以人权议题增设壁垒，NZ农产品高标准声誉或遭池鱼之殃。政府已明确反对，企业宜加速开拓RCEP与欧英市场，将对美依赖转向多元化布局。

关键词: 强迫劳动, 301关税, 贸易保护, 美国, 欧盟, 中国, 贸易战, 反制, 澳大利亚, 新西兰

Source: Global Times