Dissatisfaction Over Labor Standards
US Proposes New Tariffs On 60 Countries Including Bangladesh
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Due to dissatisfaction over labor standards, the United States has proposed imposing additional tariffs of 10 or 12.5 percent on imported goods from 60 countries, including Bangladesh. The proposal was announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), citing concerns over forced labor and inadequate labor standards.
According to the USTR, following the results of forced labor investigations, the United States has decided to impose a 10 percent tariff on imports from Canada, Ecuador, the European Union, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. An additional 45 countries that are still under investigation would face a higher tariff of 12.5 percent.
USTR Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement that the decision was taken to counter the import of goods produced through forced labor. Such practices, he said, create an environment in which American workers are forced to compete on an uneven global playing field.
The USTR has also proposed a textile framework under which a certain quantity of garments and textile products would be allowed to enter the United States at reduced tariff rates. However, details regarding the exact tariff levels and quantities have not yet been disclosed.
The USTR said it will accept public comments on the proposed tariff regime until July 6, and a public hearing will be held on July 7.
As part of its forced labor investigation, the USTR noted that several products would be exempted from the tariffs. These include energy products, rare earth elements and certain other metals, beef, coffee, specific fruits and vegetables, pharmaceuticals, biochemicals, and aircraft parts.
This announcement comes ahead of the expiry of a 10 percent temporary tariff imposed on February 20 by the Republican administration, which is set to end on July 24. On that same day, the Supreme Court struck down tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Earlier on Monday, following the findings of a Section 301 investigation into digital trade practices and preferential tariff policies, the USTR also proposed imposing a 25 percent tariff on a wide range of Brazilian products.
Source: Reuters
