The United States has announced sweeping new tariffs on goods linked to forced labour, a move that has drawn immediate support from the British government, which is now urging international allies to follow suit. The tariffs, targeting industries from textiles to electronics, aim to disrupt supply chains reliant on coerced work, with the US Treasury Department vowing to “close loopholes that have allowed exploitation to persist.”
For British workers and families already struggling with the cost of living, this news arrives with mixed implications. On one hand, the crackdown could level the playing field for domestic manufacturers who have long argued that cheap imports undercut their wages and conditions. On the other hand, consumers might face higher prices on everyday goods as retailers pass on the costs. The UK government, under pressure to show leadership on ethical trade, has called for a coordinated global response, framing the US action as a “catalyst for a new standard in trade.”
But for the union leaders and campaigners I speak to in Manchester’s old textile districts, this is more than just a trade dispute. “It’s about whether we value the people who make our clothes, whether here or abroad,” says Margaret O’Brien, a veteran organiser with the Garment Workers’ Union. “For years, we’ve been told that cheap clothes are a blessing. But the true cost is paid in human dignity. If these tariffs force companies to clean up their act, that’s a win for workers everywhere.”
The US action specifically targets products from regions where forced labour is rife, including certain parts of Asia. The burden of proof now shifts to importers, who must certify their supply chains are free from coercion. Critics warn that small businesses with limited resources may struggle to comply, potentially shutting them out of markets. Yet the UK’s International Trade Secretary has called the policy “a necessary step,” committing to a review of British import rules to align with the new US standards.
In the north of England, where manufacturing has shrunk but union presence remains strong, the news has rekindled debates about trade justice. At a community centre in Bradford, a group of retired mill workers discuss the tariffs over tea. “They talk about free trade, but it’s never been free for the worker,” says one. “If this stops a factory owner abroad from locking people in, that’s good. But we need the same commitment to our own steel and textiles.”
The cost of inaction is clear. According to the International Labour Organization, forced labour generates $150bn in illegal profits each year, undercutting wages and conditions for millions of legitimate workers. The US tariffs, which will escalate if companies don’t comply, are the most aggressive tool yet deployed. Whether other nations, including the UK, will enforce similar measures remains to be seen. But for now, the pressure is on – not just on trade, but on the conscience of every government that claims to value a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay.
