# Trump forced‑labour tariff push > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/trump-forcedlabour-tariff-push > Updated: 2026-08-02T12:53:30.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. In late July 2026, the U.S. administration announced a new legal basis for reinstating tariffs after the Supreme Court invalidated earlier emergency measures. Citing statutes such as Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and a forced‑labour rationale, the policy targeted roughly 60 countries with duties of about 5%, aiming to create a more durable tariff framework without fresh congressional approval. A week later, officials detailed a second round of tariffs framed around combating forced labour abroad, naming China among the targeted economies. Critics highlighted the pretextual nature of the justification, pointing to the United States’ own reliance on prison labour and questioning compliance with international trade rules and domestic law. The measures were linked to earlier 150‑day temporary tariffs still under appeal, and analysts warned of heightened tensions in U.S.–China trade relations and potential retaliatory actions. Together, the snapshots trace the administration’s shift from seeking alternative statutory authority to defending the forced‑labour narrative amid growing legal and diplomatic scrutiny. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-02: Trump's new forced‑labour tariffs draw criticism over legality and US prison labour Trump's new tariffs, claimed to curb forced labour, face criticism for legal issues and for ignoring U.S. prison labour, while targeting China and risking trade tensions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trumps-new-forcedlabour-tariffs-draw-criticism-over-legality-and-us-prison-labour ### 2026-07-27: Donald Trump's New Legal Justifications Revive US Tariff Regime Donald Trump is reviving US tariffs using new legal justifications, notably forced‑labour claims under Section 301, affecting about 60 nations and sparking market uncertainty. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trumps-new-legal-justifications-revive-us-tariff-regime --- Cite as: Trump forced‑labour tariff push. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/trump-forcedlabour-tariff-push