US Tariffs: Jamieson Greer Signals New 10%–12.5% Duties on Dozens of Countries

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The United States is preparing to impose a fresh round of tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on imports from dozens of countries, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has signalled, potentially reshaping global trade relations just as President Donald Trump’s temporary 10% global tariff approaches its expiry.

Greer’s remarks have raised the prospect of a new phase in the Trump administration’s aggressive trade strategy. The proposed duties would target countries that Washington believes have failed to adequately prevent goods made with forced labour from entering international supply chains.

Speaking to CNBC on Tuesday, Greer said the United States has laws that prohibit trade in goods produced using forced labour, but argued that many other countries either lack similar legislation or fail to enforce it effectively.

“The US has laws to prohibit trading goods with forced labour. Other countries, most don’t have a law; those that do don’t really enforce it,” Greer said. “We expect to see some action soon.”

Greer did not provide a specific date for the announcement or explain exactly when the new duties would take effect. However, his comments come at a critical moment for the administration’s tariff policy, with the temporary 10% global levy imposed by Trump scheduled to expire later this week.

The timing has fuelled speculation that the proposed tariffs could help the White House maintain pressure on foreign trading partners even as the current temporary measure comes to an end. Analysts cited in reports expect the new duties linked to forced labour concerns to fall broadly within the 10% to 12.5% range.

The potential measures could have a wide economic impact. Greer indicated that the action would cover the vast majority of US trade, suggesting that the policy could affect a substantial volume of goods entering the American market.

The development follows an earlier move by the Office of the US Trade Representative to consider additional tariffs on imports from around 60 economies. In early June, the agency proposed duties of up to 12.5% under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, citing concerns over alleged failures by trading partners to address forced labour.

The proposed action represents another front in the Trump administration’s broader effort to use tariffs as a tool of economic and trade policy. Rather than focusing only on traditional issues such as trade deficits, the administration has increasingly linked tariffs to wider concerns, including labour practices, supply-chain security and the treatment of American workers.

For businesses that depend on international supply chains, the prospect of another round of tariffs introduces fresh uncertainty. Importers could face higher costs if the duties come into force, while companies may need to reassess sourcing arrangements and consider whether they can shift production away from countries affected by the new measures.

Consumers could also feel the impact if businesses pass higher import costs through to retail prices. The ultimate effect, however, will depend on the scope of the tariffs, the products covered and whether companies absorb some of the additional costs themselves.

The proposed measures also have the potential to complicate relations between Washington and its trading partners. Countries affected by the tariffs could challenge the allegations, seek exemptions or respond with measures of their own. Such reactions could increase tensions in an already unsettled global trading environment.

The immediate backdrop is the expiration of Trump’s temporary 10% global tariff. The administration introduced the levy earlier this year under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 after the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s broader “Liberation Day” tariff policy in February.

The temporary measure was designed to provide the administration with another mechanism to impose a broad tariff while it pursued alternative legal and policy routes. However, the levy is scheduled to lapse at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday unless Congress takes action to extend it.

Such an extension is widely considered unlikely, according to analysts cited in reports. That deadline has increased attention on the administration’s next move and whether it can replace the expiring measure with targeted tariffs based on other legal authorities.

Greer’s comments suggest that the White House is already preparing for that transition. The proposed forced-labour tariffs could provide the administration with a way to continue applying broad trade pressure while presenting the measures as a response to specific labour and supply-chain concerns.

The move also reflects the administration’s continued reliance on existing US trade laws to pursue its economic agenda. Section 301, which the USTR has cited in its latest proposals, gives the government authority to respond to what it considers unfair or discriminatory trade practices and other actions that harm US commerce.

Forced labour has become an increasingly prominent issue in global trade discussions. Governments and companies face growing pressure to ensure that products are not linked to abusive labour practices at any stage of the supply chain. However, determining responsibility across complex international production networks can be difficult.

Raw materials may pass through several countries before a finished product reaches the United States. As a result, businesses could face increased scrutiny over their suppliers and subcontractors if Washington expands enforcement measures connected to forced labour.

Greer’s remarks therefore carry significance beyond the immediate tariff rates. If the United States imposes duties on a large number of countries, companies may have to strengthen supply-chain checks and provide greater documentation about the origin and production conditions of their goods.

At the same time, the policy could create diplomatic challenges. Governments whose exports face new duties may argue that the US measures are politically motivated or unfairly applied. They could also question Washington’s assessment of their enforcement systems.

The administration, however, appears determined to continue using tariffs as leverage. Trump’s trade policy has repeatedly focused on using the threat of higher duties to push other governments toward changes in trade practices and economic policies.

For now, uncertainty remains over the exact list of countries that could face the new tariffs, the products that would be covered and the precise date of implementation. Greer has indicated that action is expected soon, but he has not offered a firm timeline.

The coming days could therefore prove important for global businesses and financial markets. If the temporary 10% global tariff expires as scheduled, companies will be watching closely to determine whether the proposed forced-labour measures immediately fill the gap or whether the administration announces additional trade actions.

The broader question is whether the new tariffs will mark a temporary adjustment or become another lasting component of the Trump administration’s trade strategy. With Washington signalling that the measures could cover the vast majority of US trade, businesses and governments around the world are likely to remain on alert for the next announcement.

Whatever form the policy ultimately takes, the message from the US trade representative is clear: the administration intends to keep using tariffs to influence international trade and to pressure foreign governments over issues it considers important to American economic and labour interests. As the deadline for the temporary global levy approaches, attention is now turning to what comes next.