The United States reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining tariff ceilings established in trade agreements with the European Union and Japan, despite introducing new tariffs related to forced labor imports. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer emphasized that previously agreed tariff caps remain respected under current trade deals, even as fresh tariffs seek to address labor-related trade issues.
Under the agreements, U.S. tariffs on most imports from the EU and Japan are capped at 15%, a limit that Washington has agreed to honor. However, recent measures announced by Greer’s office imposed additional tariffs on goods from multiple countries identified as failing to eliminate forced labor in supply chains — 10% on EU products and 12.5% on Japanese goods. These forced labor tariffs operate within the legal framework of Section 301 investigations, which grant the U.S. president authority to impose such duties.
Greer explained that the trade deals acknowledge the United States’ right to impose tariffs up to certain thresholds, ensuring that these new duties do not breach the existing caps. Meanwhile, the EU’s Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic confirmed shared understanding on preserving the terms of the Turnberry agreement, which includes the 15% maximum tariff cap. Though the EU countries were surprised by forced labor tariffs due to their stringent labor standards, they are proceeding toward European Parliament approval of the Turnberry deal with the U.S. administration.
Looking ahead, the EU plans to enforce a comprehensive ban on products made with forced labor across member states starting in December 2027, regardless of whether such goods are produced domestically or imported. This move aligns with ongoing efforts on both sides to more rigorously address forced labor in international trade.