Donald Trump Slaps New 10% Tariff On UK Goods In Early Challenge For Andy Burnham

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump/">Donald Trump has imposed a new 10% tariff on British goods entering America.

In an early challenge for new prime minister https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/andy-burnham/">Andy Burnham, Britain is one of 60 countries to have the import charges imposed on them by the US president.

The Trump administration said the tariffs were being introduced over claims the countries targeted have not done enough to enforce bans on items produced by forced labour.

US trade representative Jamieson Greer said: “The United States has had a forced labour import ban for nearly a century, and rigorously enforces it.

It’s well past time for our trading partners to do the same.

“Today’s action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and distortive trade practice to improve the welfare of workers everywhere.

“I am encouraged by the trading partners who have moved quickly to adopt forced labour import prohibitions, and look forward to ensuring their effective enforcement.”

Tariffs previously imposed by Trump were ruled illegal the US Supreme Court, leading to the introduction of temporary levies.

The latest tariffs were announced just hours before those levies expired.

The move is a blow for the UK, which exports more to America than to any other single country.

Trump’s decision risks angering US voters, most of whom do not support the tariff regime because it makes imported goods more expensive.

The Economic Prosperity Deal agreed between the US and the UK last year aimed to mitigate the impact of US tariffs on UK industries and deepen commercial ties between the two countries.

A government spokesperson said: “There is no change to the tariff rate facing UK businesses as a result of this announcement.

“The UK remains on a 10% tariff rate and the preferential access secured under our agreement with the United States remains in place.

“We take forced labour very seriously and ensure that in global supply chains UK businesses are not complicit in forced labour and human rights violations.

“The US has recognised the steps the UK is taking, which is why there are no additional tariffs for the UK under this announcement.”

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