US imposes new forced-labour tariffs on 60 countries, hitting EU and Swiss exports

Washington levies a 10% baseline duty on EU goods and 12.5% on Swiss imports, citing inadequate labour protections. The move broadens trade friction and risks supply-chain repricing.

By Handelsavisen Newsroom · Automated 2026-07-23 22:14 UTC · 1 min read

The United States has introduced a new round of tariffs targeting imports from 60 countries, citing insufficient measures to combat forced labour.

The policy, announced on Thursday, imposes a 10% baseline duty on goods from the European Union and a steeper 12.5% rate on Swiss exports.

The measures are set to take effect on Friday, replacing a previously scheduled tariff structure.

The announcement marks a significant escalation in US trade policy, extending the reach of Washington’s protectionist stance beyond its initial targets.

By framing the duties around labour standards, the administration is leveraging non-tariff concerns to justify broader economic barriers.

This approach complicates trade negotiations and adds uncertainty for multinational corporations with supply chains spanning the affected regions.