Sixty economies investigated at once and tariffs imposed over forced labour — Japan capped at a 12.5 percent total
Following investigations under section 301 of the Trade Act, the President directed the Trade Representative to impose tariffs on economies found not to prohibit or effectively enforce a prohibition on imports made with forced labour. For Japan, tariffs are set so the total with the most-favoured-nation rate reaches 12.5 percent.
Document overview (primary data)
- Document typePresidential document
- AgencyExecutive Office of the President
- Citation91 FR 47717
Key points
- Following section 301 investigations, the President directed the Trade Representative to impose tariffs on the economies covered.
- The investigations covered 60 economies and examined prohibitions on importing goods produced with forced labour and their enforcement.
- Seventeen economies face a 10 percent tariff, and all other investigated economies 12.5 percent.
- For Japan, Korea and Switzerland the tariff tops up the most-favoured-nation rate to a total of 12.5 percent, with none where it is already at or above.
- Products identified in an annex, including raw materials, are exempt from the tariffs.
1What was investigated
Section 301 of the Trade Act permits the Trade Representative to act where a foreign act, policy or practice is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts United States commerce. These investigations examined whether each economy prohibits the importation of goods produced with forced labour, and whether it effectively enforces such a prohibition.
- 1March 12, 2026The Trade Representative initiates section 301 investigations covering 60 economies
- 2The questionWhether each prohibits imports made with forced labour and effectively enforces the prohibition
- 3June 2, 2026The Trade Representative determines the practices are unreasonable and burden United States commerce
- 4This memorandumThe President directs the Trade Representative to impose tariffs
The structure asks not only that the United States refuse such goods but that trading partners adopt the same prohibition, with tariffs following where they have not. Covering 60 economies in one set of investigations is itself notable.
2How the rates are set
| Covered | How the rate is set |
|---|---|
| Seventeen economies including Argentina, Canada, India, Mexico and the United Kingdom | 10 percent |
| European Union and Taiwan | Topped up so the total with the most-favoured-nation rate reaches 10 percent; no tariff if already at or above |
| Japan, Korea and Switzerland | Topped up so the total reaches 12.5 percent; no tariff if already at or above |
| All other investigated economies | 12.5 percent |
For some, including Japan, the tariff is not a flat addition but an adjustment bringing the total to a set level. Products whose existing tariff is already high receive no addition, while the lower the existing rate the larger the top-up.
The memorandum states that capping total duties in this manner is feasible, consistent with the terms of agreements on reciprocal trade, and appropriate to encourage these economies to fulfil commitments or to enact and effectively enforce a prohibition.
3Products exempted
The memorandum exempts products identified in an annex, on grounds including that they are raw materials which, if subject to the tariffs, could lead to disadvantage. Where the object of a tariff is to correct another country regime, covering inputs needed for domestic production would set the means against the end.
4The form of a memorandum
A memorandum is one subtype of presidential document, and only 2 are among the records this site holds as of 2026-09-02, both concerning section 301. Each is addressed to a particular agency and gives direction. Where a proclamation declares to the public at large, a memorandum instructs its addressee.
Why it matters
Because rates are set as a total with the existing tariff rather than product by product, the impact varies sharply by item — the lower the existing rate, the larger the addition. Checking at the product level is necessary in trade practice.
FAQ
What is section 301?
Why set rates as a total?
Sources (primary)
Source: Federal Register (federal documents, public domain). Links go to the official site.