Trump administration reimposes forced‑labor tariffs and blocks $166 billion refunds

The Trump administration is quietly reinstating customs tariffs aimed at imports produced with forced labor, invoking Section 301 of the Trade Act. A 98‑page report by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer found that 60 trading partners do not effectively enforce forced‑labor bans and recommended a minimum 10% tariff on those countries, with higher rates of up to 12.5% for nations such as China, Brazil, Japan and India.

At the same time, the administration is resisting a court order directing the return of about $166 billion in duties that were collected from importers. A federal court ruled that tariffs imposed under the 1977 Emergency Economic Powers Act were unconstitutional and ordered immediate refunds. The Justice Department has sought to shield Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott from testifying and has filed appeals. The judge’s statement referenced the amount: "166 milyar dolar söz konusu".