Latin American Nations Urge the U.S. to Drop Proposed Tariffs

Steel News  |  2026-07-09 03:22:01   |   By

Peru also requested exclusion from the proposed tariff, claiming that there has been no demonstration of any damage to U.S. trade.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Several Latin American countries have urged the United States to withdraw proposed import tariffs linked to forced labor concerns. According to them, these tariffs are unnecessary as they already have strong legal frameworks and enforcement measures to prevent such practices in their supply chains.

The matter came up during public hearings held by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on a proposal to impose additional tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on imports from 59 countries and the European Union. The duties are being considered under Section 301 of U.S. trade law, as the U.S. claims that these countries have failed to implement adequate actions against goods produced with forced labor.

The officials from Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, and Ecuador rejected the allegations, saying their governments have already implemented effective regulations against forced labor. Mexico's Deputy Economy Minister, Ernesto Acevedo Fernández, pointed out that there was no evidence that goods produced with forced labor were entering the U.S. through Mexico. Furthermore, he noted that the proposed tariff would cause harm to compliant Mexican businesses.

Peru also requested exclusion from the proposed tariff, claiming that there has been no demonstration of any damage to U.S. trade.

The USTR is expected to review feedback from the hearings before announcing its final decision.