European Commission calls US forced labor tariffs threats unjustified

Written by journalist Danylo Aleksandrov

On Wednesday the European Commission described the new tariff threats from the US, this time over forced labor, unjustified, saying that existing legislation is already strict enough to prevent such products from being produced or imported.

This happens while EU is preparing the implementation of the trade deal with US, which was agreed upon between Trump and Ursula von der Leyen in summer 2025. Per deal the US tariffs on EU goods would be set at 15%, while the bloc dismisses any tariffs on industrial products imported from US. The agreement is criticized by a number of Members of European Parliament because of this imbalance. The vote on this matter will happen on 16th of June.

But on Tuesday the US Administration proposed imposing another 10% of tariffs on a number of trade partners of US, including EU, which would come on top of the previously agreed upon tariff ceiling. The proposal is based on the grounds that their efforts to combat trade of forced labor products is insufficient. This, according to US Administration, is not in line with its trade interests.

After the announcement from US, European officials responded to the threats. The deputy chief spokesperson for European Commission, Olof Gill, said that while Commission will investigate the US claims, at the same time calling the threats unjustified. He stated that in 2024, EU adopted legislation which prohibits import, export and sale of forced labor products.

Bernd Lange, a MEP from Socialists and Democrats, who was the chief negotiator in trade deal talks with US, said in his post on X, that accusations against EU of insufficient efforts to curb forced labor have no ground. He added, that the bloc has implemented the most strict rules in this domain. Lange also expressed his hope that US will uphold its part of the deal, as EU continues being loyal to its part.

In February 2026, the US Supreme Court ruled that President Trump exceeded his powers to impose the tariffs using International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as basis. Despite this, US Administration found a way to continue imposing them, using other laws and acts.