The Trump administration has imposed double-digit tariffs on more than 60 countries representing 99% of U.S. imports, using Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to penalize nations accused of failing to enforce bans on goods produced with forced labor. These tariffs, set at 10% or 12.5%, replace expired temporary 10% worldwide tariffs and allow the president to make them permanent without Congressional approval, according to trade law experts. Brazil and Australia, facing 12.5% tariffs, called the measures arbitrary and unfounded, while the USTR provided little detail on its methodology after a four-month investigation. American industry groups, including the NCTO representing the textile industry, protested exemptions granted to certain countries, arguing the mechanism would harm domestic manufacturers employing 453,000 workers.
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