South Korea urges USTR to delay forced labor tariffs on imports

Seoul's trade lobby seeks a reprieve from proposed 12.5% duties, joining Brazil in lobbying Washington over the new trade policy.

By Handelsavisen Newsroom · Automated 2026-07-06 20:37 UTC · 1 min read

A South Korean trade association has formally requested that the U.S. Trade Representative defer the implementation of proposed tariffs on South Korean imports.

The appeal, directed at USTR Jamieson Greer, centers on concerns regarding the forced labor provisions underpinning the new trade measures.

5% on imports from 60 economies, citing their failure to ban goods made with forced labor.

The request comes as the USTR has proposed tariffs of up to 12.5% on imports from 60 economies, citing their failure to ban goods made with forced labor.

The broad scope of the proposal has triggered a wave of diplomatic and commercial pushback from affected nations.

South Korea is not alone in seeking relief.

Brazil has also formally requested that the Trump administration postpone the implementation of new tariffs on Brazilian goods until after the country’s October presidential election.