WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – The administration of US President Donald Trump, will today introduce a new return of duties between 10% and 12.5% on imports from over 60 US business partners.
The measure, announced by the US Trade Representative Office (USTR), is justified by the need to counter forced labour in global supply chains. New duties will affect more than 99% of U.S. trade and will involve both historical allies, including European Union, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and Canada, and large economies such as China, India and Brazil. The plan provides for a differentiated system: the countries considered to have adequate measures against forced labour will be applied a rate of 10%, while for those considered to not comply the tariff will rise to 12.5%. India, according to the American administration, managed to obtain the lowest rate after approving a worker protection legislation, although Washington believes that many of the countries concerned continue to ensure that they do not guarantee sufficient standards.
The new measures will replace the global temporary tariffs of 10% expiry, introduced after the Supreme Court had cancelled most of the duties imposed by the administration in recent months. To legally support the new tariff system, the White House has made use of Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, considered a more solid legal basis.
There are some exemptions for non-produced goods in the United States, as well as for oil, gas and fertilizers. Steel, aluminium and automotive sectors are also excluded, already subject to specific national safety tariff measures. According to the Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, the measure aims to “restore equity in the global market for American workers. For almost a century, the United States has banned the importation of goods produced with forced labor and strictly apply this law. The time has come for our business partners to do the same. Both political groups call for interventions against forced labour practices abroad that harm American workers and businesses.”.
-Photo: Ipa Agency-
(ITALPRESS).
