The Trump administration has proposed a 12.5% import tariff on all goods from Australia, aimed at combating products associated with forced labour. This decision follows a comprehensive investigation by the US Trade Representative, which assessed 60 countries and found that none had effective measures to prevent the importation of goods produced with forced labour. Consequently, the proposal categorizes countries into two tariff rates: a 10% tariff for those with some form of forced-labour import ban, and the higher 12.5% tariff for those without, which includes Australia. In 2025, Australia exported goods worth over $48.5 billion to the US, with beef being its most significant export at around $4 billion annually. The proposed tariff is expected to raise costs for American consumers and importers, making Australian products more expensive. US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer criticized the failure of trading partners to adequately tackle the issue of forced labour, stating that American workers face an unlevel playing field in global competition. The administration insists that more must be done to ensure that trade does not perpetuate forced labour practices.