US Proposes New Tariffs on Pakistan and 59 Other Countries Over Forced Labor Concerns
Washington DC, June 3, 2026 — The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has proposed imposing additional tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 economies, including Pakistan, citing their failure to effectively prohibit and enforce bans on goods produced with forced labor.1bc511According to the USTR’s findings released on Tuesday, these countries have not taken…
Washington DC, June 3, 2026 — The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has proposed imposing additional tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 economies, including Pakistan, citing their failure to effectively prohibit and enforce bans on goods produced with forced labor.1bc511
According to the USTR’s findings released on Tuesday, these countries have not taken sufficient measures to prevent the importation of products made through forced labor, which the agency says creates an unfair burden on US commerce and puts American workers at a disadvantage.cf0c06
Pakistan is among a group of 16 economies (including Canada, Mexico, the European Union, Taiwan, and the UK) that will face an additional 10% tariff. These nations reportedly have some prohibitions or commitments in place but have failed to enforce them effectively. The remaining 45 countries, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam, are proposed to face higher 12.5% tariffs for lacking adequate forced labor import bans altogether.61bb9c
This move comes under Section 301 investigations into unfair trade practices. The Trump administration argues that the failure of trading partners to address forced labor distorts global markets and harms US industries.
The proposal will undergo a public comment period and hearings before any final decision. Several trading partners have already rejected the findings, with the EU calling them “utterly absurd.”
