United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced Thursday that the U.S. will impose new tariffs on imports from 60 countries that fail to impose penalties for forced labor violations.  

The tariffs, brought under Section 301 of the United States Trade Act of 1974, range from 10% to 12.5% depending on the agreement with the U.S. and whether a country is receiving Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) status. 

Greer highlighted the U.S.'s long-standing forced labor import ban and called for American allies and trading partners to do the same.

“Today’s action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and distortive trade practice to improve the welfare of workers everywhere," Greer said in a statement. "I am encouraged by the trading partners who have moved quickly to adopt forced labor import prohibitions, and look forward to ensuring their effective enforcement.”

Seventeen countries fall under the 10% tariffs, including the United Kingdom and Argentina, because of Reciprocal Trade Agreements with the U.S. or because they impose a forced labor import prohibition.

Just five countries are given either 10 or 12.5% tariffs, depending on their MFN status, and the rest face 12.5% tariffs, Greer's office said.

Greer also said certain products are exempt from the tariffs if the tariffs could lead to the unavailability of domestic supply or cause economy-wide disruptions.

Certain undisclosed products from Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ecuador, El Salvador, the European Union, Guatemala, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom are also exempt.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.