Trump's New Forced Labor Tariffs Receive Mixed Reactions in Europe
On July 24, 2026, the US implemented new import tariffs against approximately 60 countries, including the European Union, citing insufficient action against forced labor in supply chains. EU tariffs range from 10 to 12.5 percent. The EU Commission cautiously welcomed the move, noting it stays within the 15 percent cap set by the 2025 Golf Course Agreement. However, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called it a 'negative surprise,' and French central bank governor Emmanuel Moulin warned of increased global economic uncertainty. Critics argue the forced labor justification is a pretext, pointing out that the US has not ratified key ILO conventions against forced labor. The article also notes that both the EU and Germany are weakening their own forced labor and supply chain regulations, undermining the stated rationale for the tariffs.
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