Trump's new tariffs on 60 nations over forced labour coincide with reduced enforcement of Xinjiang goods ban, raising concerns among critics.
President Donald Trump has imposed new tariffs on 60 trading partners over alleged forced labour practices, even as his administration has sharply reduced enforcement of its own ban on goods from China's Xinjiang region, reported Arlington, Virginia's Politico.
Trade data shows the value of goods held at the border over suspected Xinjiang links fell from US$1.76 billion in fiscal 2024 to US$166 million in fiscal 2025. Customs detentions also dropped from an average of 1,039 shipments per month under President Joe Biden to 788 in the first four months of 2026.
The slowdown coincided with Trump's pursuit of a trade truce with Beijing. Former officials said the administration shelved new blacklist entries to avoid angering China, which had threatened to restrict critical minerals. The Department of Homeland Security later added more than 40 Chinese firms to the list, effective Aug. 3.
Critics argue the weaker enforcement undermines Trump's claim that the US is the only country effectively banning forced labour imports. Laura Murphy, a former DHS adviser, said Washington must enforce its own laws if it expects others to follow suit.
The White House last week imposed tariffs of 10 to 12.5 percent after a probe concluded foreign governments were failing to prevent forced labour. China's Ministry of Commerce accused the US of 'manipulated' behaviour, while Brazil and the European Union questioned the legitimacy of the measures.
Businesses have already filed lawsuits in federal trade court, alleging the administration set tariff rates first and then crafted findings to justify them. Legal experts are divided on whether the challenges will succeed, but note the enforcement slowdown could weaken the government's position.
