Trump's New Forced Labor Tariffs Draw Mixed Reactions in Europe
On July 24, 2026, new US import tariffs against approximately 60 countries, including the European Union, took effect, justified by insufficient action against forced labor in supply chains. EU tariffs range from 10 to 12.5 percent. The EU Commission noted the tariffs fall within the 2025 Golf Course Agreement's 15 percent cap, with some surcharges potentially decreasing. Reactions were mixed: EU trade committee chair Bernd Lange called the design 'better than expected,' while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas termed it a 'negative surprise.' Critics argue the forced labor justification is a pretext, noting the US has not signed ILO forced labor conventions. The article also highlights that the EU's own forced labor directive takes effect in late 2027, while Germany is weakening its domestic Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, reducing the threshold from 1,000 to 5,000 employees.
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