US trade partners criticize Trump's new forced‑labour tariffs

Washington’s latest round of tariffs, imposed under the Trump administration on the grounds of alleged forced‑labour practices, has drawn sharp criticism from a number of trading partners. The measures, which target a range of goods—including textiles, electronics and agricultural products—are being justified by the U.S. Trade Representative as a response to credible evidence that certain imports are produced using coerced labor. Countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates have formally lodged objections, arguing that the tariffs violate World Trade Organization rules and lack transparent, verifiable evidence.

In response, the affected governments have called for a multilateral review and have urged Washington to adopt a more evidence‑based approach. U.S. officials maintain that the actions are consistent with the Department of Labor’s List of Goods Produced by Forced Labour and are intended to protect human rights. Diplomatic talks are ongoing, with both sides seeking a resolution that balances trade interests and labor standards while avoiding broader escalation in trade tensions.