ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said:

“We are deeply concerned that the new Section 301 tariffs risk penalising legitimate commerce alongside any genuine forced labour violations.

“Applying these new duties across more than 60 economies – including close US allies and existing trade partners – will create significant uncertainty across global supply chains.

“The additional tariffs, exemptions and carve-outs will significantly increase compliance costs and administrative burdens for businesses already operating in an unsettled trade environment – without clear evidence that the new regime will improve outcomes for workers.

“Forced labour is a serious and unacceptable practice. But enforcement is most effective when it is targeted, evidence-based and focused on specific violations and supply chains. Broad tariff measures risk diluting that essential focus.”