US proposes 12.5% tariff on Morocco over forced-labour import rules

The move targets Rabat’s lack of a ban on forced-labour imports, threatening the 2006 free-trade pact and adding to a broader US tariff wave on 60 economies.

By Handelsavisen Newsroom · Automated 2026-07-23 06:29 UTC · 1 min read

The United States has proposed a 12.5% tariff on most Moroccan exports, citing Rabat’s failure to implement a ban on imports made with forced labour.

The proposal, announced by the US Trade Representative on 2 June 2026, marks a significant escalation in trade tensions between the two nations and directly challenges the existing 2006 free-trade agreement.

This development is part of a wider US strategy to impose tariffs on approximately 60 countries, with duties ranging from 10% to 12.

This development is part of a wider US strategy to impose tariffs on approximately 60 countries, with duties ranging from 10% to 12.5%.

The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) has framed these measures as necessary to combat forced labour practices globally, targeting economies that have not enacted sufficient legislative bans on such goods.

For Moroccan exporters, the potential tariffs represent a substantial cost increase that could erode competitiveness in the US market.

The threat to the long-standing free-trade pact introduces uncertainty for businesses reliant on duty-free access to American consumers, particularly in sectors such as automotive parts, textiles, and agriculture.