NATIONAL NEWS

US says it plans extra tariffs of 10% or more for most trading partners after forced labor probe

Jun 2, 2026, 8:52 PM | Updated: 10:24 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Trade Representative has announced the Trump administration is proposing tariffs of 10% or more for dozens of major trading partners following a probe into alleged forced labor.

The report released early Wednesday by the USTR said Canada, Mexico, Taiwan and the United Kingdom would face 10% tariffs for allegedly failing to enforce a forced labor import ban. A 12.5% additional tariff would be imposed on China, Japan, India, South Korea, Brazil and Switzerland.

The new tariffs would not take effect immediately. They are subject to public comment and review.

The investigation into alleged failure to prevent imports of goods allegedly made by forced labor was conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The strategy would enable U.S. President Donald Trump to skirt limits on his tariffs imposed by the Supreme Court.

National News

Gear from a television crew is seen outside of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts o...

Associated Press

Fencing goes up around the main Kennedy Center building after Trump-aligned board votes to close it

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fencing went up Wednesday around the main Kennedy Center building, a day after the Trump-aligned board voted to close the performing arts center for repairs.

1 hour ago

Associated Press

Jimmy Lai’s son pleads in Washington for his father’s release ahead of Xi’s US visit

WASHINGTON (AP) — The son of imprisoned former Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai appealed for his father’s release at a congressional hearing in Washington on Wednesday, one week before Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the U.S. Sebastien Lai urged his father’s release on humanitarian grounds at a hearing of the Congressional-Executive […]

1 hour ago

This is a locator map for Afghanistan with its capital, Kabul. (AP Photo)Credit: AP Photo/undefined...

Associated Press

Afghan man sentenced to 20-year prison term in case tied to suicide bombing at Kabul airport

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — An Islamic State group member was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison for aiding the terrorist organization that took credit for a suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members and about 160 Afghans at the Kabul airport five years ago during the American military’s chaotic withdrawal from the country. […]

1 hour ago

Lakiya Malone, center, charged with fraud involving federal homelessness aid programs, is arrested ...

Associated Press

Federal prosecutors charge 3 in alleged $12M homelessness aid fraud in Southern California

Three people were charged by federal authorities in Los Angeles on Wednesday with stealing $12 million in federal and state homelessness aid dollars to buy real estate, go on luxury trips and buy vintage vehicles. This is the second such arrest of people on federal fraud charges in Southern California this week, as President Donald […]

2 hours ago

FILE - A child holds hands with workers at an emergency shelter for migrant children, July 2, 2021,...

Associated Press

AP exclusive: Change in human trafficking reporting alarms advocates for migrant children

The Trump administration has ordered caregivers for migrant children to stop reporting human trafficking concerns directly to the office created to help victims, a change that critics say could make some vulnerable minors easier to deport. The directive, in a Sept. 10 memo reviewed by The Associated Press, could mean that some victims would be […]

2 hours ago

Bill Robling as Benjamin Franklin, left, and Carol Spacht as Betsy Ross, center, greet the Philadel...

Associated Press

Scenes from a colonial resurrection: First-person interpretations of history draw America 250 crowds

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Betsy Ross is a dynamo with a T-shirt cannon. America’s 250th birthday has been a banner year for the actors of Historic Philadelphia, Inc. who immerse visitors in Colonial history via first-person interpretations and true stories. In the last few months, Betsy, played by Carol Spacht, has waved the checkered flag at […]

5 hours ago

US says it plans extra tariffs of 10% or more for most trading partners after forced labor probe