Trump’s Temporary Tariff Set to Expire as US Prepares Forced Labor Duties

President Trump’s temporary 10% global tariff is set to lapse this week, and the administration is lining up replacement duties targeting roughly 60 countries over forced labor concerns, according to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

New Duties Expected Soon

Speaking to CNBC on today, Greer said action could come soon, though he declined to give an exact date. He explained that while US law bars trade in goods made through forced labor, most other nations either lack similar rules or fail to enforce them. The current global levy, introduced after the Supreme Court struck down several Trump tariffs in February, expires Friday. Analysts anticipate replacement tariffs of 10% to 12.5% tied to forced labor enforcement, covering most of America’s trade activity.

Countries Facing New Pressure

Nations expected to be affected include the European Union, China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Japan. The EU has already pushed back, previously describing tariffs justified on these grounds as unwarranted.

Additional Tariff Actions Underway

Washington is also moving forward with a 25% tariff on select Brazilian goods starting Wednesday and a 50% tariff on many Canadian products beginning August 19. Separately, trade investigations are underway involving 16 countries over concerns about excess industrial capacity.

Canada Talks Lag as Mexico Progresses

Greer is scheduled to visit Mexico this week for talks tied to the joint review of the US-Mexico Canada Agreement, with those negotiations moving faster than discussions with Canada. Trade attorney Dave Townsend of Dorsey & Whitney said the steep Canadian tariffs seem designed either to push Ottawa toward a trade framework or to punish it for not reaching one, and possibly both. He added that the key question now is whether the two sides settle on an agreement or slide into a cycle of retaliation.