US Proposes 12.5% Tariffs on Sri Lanka Over Forced Labor Imports

The U.S. Trade Representative's office has proposed imposing additional tariffs on imports from 60 economies, including Sri Lanka. This action stems from a determination that these countries have failed to effectively curb trade in goods produced with forced labor. Under the proposed measures, Sri Lanka would face a 12.5% additional duty on its exports to the United States. The USTR cited the unreasonable restriction on U.S. commerce and insufficient measures to prohibit such imports as reasons for the proposal, which is part of a Section 301 unfair trade practices investigation.