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Trump could slap Australia with 12.5% tariff for allegedly importing goods made by slave labour <p>Trade minister says Australia has ‘robust, comprehensive and world-leading legislation addressing forced labour and modern slavery’</p><p>Australia is among dozens of countries facing a 12.5% trade tariff from the Trump administration for allegedly failing to prevent imports of goods made by slave labour.</p><p>The US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, listed Australia among 54 economies that “failed to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor” following an investigation into their practices.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/03/trump-could-slap-australia-with-125-tariff-for-allegedly-importing-goods-made-by-slave-labour">Continue reading...</a>

'Unjustified', 'unwarranted': Australia, China react to new 12.5% US tariff The China and Australia flags.Photo:123rf Australia could be hit with a new 12.5 percent US tariff after the Trump administration accused dozens of countries of failing to crack down on goods made with forced labour. The proposed tariff was announced by the US Trade Representative (USTR) on Wednesday, as part of an investigation into what Washington says are unfair trade practices by 60 countries. Australia is among 45 countries facing the higher 12.5 percent rate, alongside New Zealand, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Brazil and Switzerland. Another group, including Canada, Britain, the European Union and Mexico, would face a lower 10 percent duty. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the US would "no longer tolerate" countries that failed to address forced labour in their supply chains. "The failure of our most important trading partners to address the importation of goods made with forced labour is unacceptable," Greer said in a statement. "This creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field." The USTR also proposed a textile mechanis…

Kevin Rudd Flags Further Tariff Challenges - i3-invest.com Kevin Rudd, Ambassador to the United States Australia might face further challenges from United States tariffs beyond the broad 10 per cent rate implemented across the globe, the Ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, has flagged. The US is currently investigating whether to expand tariffs to sectors of national security concern under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, Rudd said in a webinar organised by Austrade last week. The Trump administration has already expanded the tariffs on steel and aluminium from 25 per cent to 50 per cent under this section as of 4 June this year. Only the United Kingdom has been able to negotiate a 25 per cent tariff rate. The US is now considering expanding the tariff hike to other sectors. “These are investigations into another list of industry sectors conducted by the Commerce Department on the national security implications for the United States in support of either existing or changed tariff circumstances,” Rudd said in the webinar organised by Austrade. I cannot say to you that the President has decided that that's the end of his list of Section 232 investigations. Th…

Australia says US trade investigators made findings without evidence The Australian embassy in Washington lodges an objection to the Trump administration's proposal for a 12.5 per cent tariff on Australian imports.

Australia faces proposed 12.5pc US tariff over forced labour crackdown Australia could be hit with a new US tariff after the Trump administration accused dozens of countries of failing to crack down on goods made with forced labour.

Australia's new man in Washington takes tariff hardline - AFR World North America Trump diplomacy Print article Jessica Gardner United States correspondent Jun 13, 2026 – 12.01am Vancouver | Australia’s new ambassador to the United States, Greg Moriarty, says he will not push for a new trade deal with the Trump administration, even as the White House has shown a willingness to give preferential treatment to rival exporting nations with such agreements. Echoing the language of Albanese government ministers, the veteran diplomat and public servant said President Donald Trump’s trade blitz – including a proposed 12.5 per cent tariff on Australian exports for failing to stop goods made by slave labour from being imported – was “unwarranted and unjustified”. Loading... Save Log in or Subscribe to save article Share Copy link Copied Email LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Copy link Copied Share via... Gift this article Subscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Subscribe now Already a subscriber? Login License article Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. Find out more Read More Trump diplomacy USA Donald Trump Trump'…