Arabic version: الولايات المتحدة تؤكد فرض رسوم جمركية بنسبة 12.5% على الصادرات الأسترالية

According to ABC News, the Trump administration has confirmed that a 12.5 per cent tariff on Australian exports to the United States will take effect from 2:01pm AEST on Friday. The levy replaces a temporary 10 per cent tariff that expires at the same time, increasing Australia’s rate by 2.5 percentage points.

The US announced new tariffs for dozens of major trading partners following an investigation into forced labour in international supply chains. Some countries, including the United Kingdom, will face a smaller 10 per cent tariff. The US says those countries are taking stronger action against forced labour, a claim Australia disputes.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the new tariff “makes no sense”, saying Australia would continue to press its case to the Trump administration on trade and its stance on forced labour. Australia had formally asked the US not to proceed, arguing it has some of the world’s strongest forced-labour laws and has consistently received the highest rating in the US annual Trafficking in Persons Report.

Australia’s submission also cited recently relaxed restrictions on American beef imports and a critical minerals framework deal signed at the White House last year. It said the economic relationship meant Australia should not face the proposed action or any tariff measure. The new tariff will not be added to existing levies on products including metals and car parts, while goods exempt from the previous tariff, including many food products, will remain exempt.

The forced-labour investigation began in March, after the US Supreme Court struck down many of President Donald Trump’s tariffs in February. US trade ambassador Jamieson Greer said the administration viewed the measures as necessary to address forced labour in global supply chains. Analysts cited by ABC News said the new measures could also replace tariffs invalidated by the court.