The US has announced new import duties on 60 trading partners, including Pakistan. According to US officials, this step has been taken under the policy related to forced labour, and the new rates will be effective from Friday.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said that the US has been implementing strict rules on the import of products manufactured through forced labour for decades. He said that other countries should also adopt such measures in accordance with global trade principles to promote transparency in the supply chain.
According to the official announcement, a 10 per cent import tariff will be imposed on Pakistan, India, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Canada, Malaysia, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Indonesia and many other countries, while a 12.5 per cent duty will be imposed on 38 countries, including China. New import rates have also been set for the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan.
US officials say the new tariffs replace a temporary 10 percent tariff that was imposed for a limited period after the Supreme Court struck down previous tariffs. The administration says the latest decisions come after months of investigation to make them more legally sound.
Several countries have expressed reservations about the new US decision. Japan called it regrettable, while Australia said the move was inconsistent with the two countries’ free trade agreement.
The US government has made it clear that steel, aluminium and products already subject to sectoral tariffs will not be affected by the new duties. Similarly, certain energy products, fertilisers and goods imported under the US-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement will also be exempted from the decision.
On the other hand, Pakistan has already submitted its detailed position on the matter to the Office of the US Trade Representative. According to experts, the potential impact of the new trade policy could be on Pakistan’s exports and future trade negotiations between the two countries, while the US is also continuing separate trade investigations against several other economies.