Pakistan Faces Proposed US Tariffs Over Labour Rules

The United States Trade Representative has moved to impose fresh duties on imports from 60 economies, including Pakistan, in a major trade action linked to concerns over forced labour controls. The proposal, reported on Wednesday, places Pakistan among countries Washington says have not effectively enforced restrictions against goods connected to forced labour entering supply chains.

According to the reported plan, the proposed duties would range between 10 percent and 12.5 percent, depending on the category of trading partner and the findings of the US investigation. Pakistan is listed among economies that could face a 10 percent duty under the proposal, which has not yet taken final effect and will pass through a public comment and hearing process before implementation.

The development comes as Washington attempts to rebuild parts of its tariff policy after earlier legal setbacks affected the Trump administration’s broader trade agenda. The inquiry examined whether trading partners had taken adequate measures to prevent imports produced with forced labour and whether weak enforcement had an impact on US commerce and American workers.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said trading partners must do more to prevent global trade from encouraging or sustaining forced labour practices. His statement framed the measure as both a labour-rights issue and a competitive fairness issue, arguing that American workers should not be forced to compete against goods made under exploitative conditions.

The proposal separates investigated economies into different groups. A larger group of 54 economies was accused of failing to impose and effectively enforce forced labour import prohibitions, while six economies, including Pakistan, were described as not effectively enforcing such restrictions. The list also covers major trade partners such as India, China, the European Union, Canada, Mexico, Britain, Vietnam and Taiwan.

For Pakistan, the proposed duties could add pressure at a sensitive time for exporters already facing high production costs, energy challenges and uncertain access to major markets. While the tariff plan does not automatically mean immediate disruption, it raises the possibility of tougher compliance demands for Pakistani businesses selling into the US market, especially in sectors where supply-chain transparency is increasingly scrutinised.

The measure also includes exemptions for some goods, including selected agricultural items, and certain products linked to North American trade arrangements. However, the broader message from Washington is clear: countries will be expected to demonstrate stronger systems for identifying, blocking and penalising goods suspected of being tied to forced labour.

Public comments on the US proposal are expected before a final decision is taken, giving governments, businesses and trade groups an opportunity to respond. Pakistan’s next steps are likely to involve diplomatic engagement, clarification of enforcement mechanisms and efforts to reassure exporters that the issue will be handled before any duties become a lasting barrier to trade.