Donald Trump has unveiled plans for a new wave of tariffs that could hit imports from 60 countries, including the UK.
The move risks escalating trade tensions once again as the US president pushes ahead with his protectionist agenda.
The proposed tariffs would range from 10 to 12.5 per cent and would apply to countries including the UK, European Union, Canada, Japan and India.
Trump's administration says the measures are needed because trading partners have failed to do enough to stop goods made using forced labour from entering their markets.
The latest proposal follows a series of legal challenges to Trump's previous tariff policies. In February, the Supreme Court struck down his so-called "Liberation Day" tariffs, ruling they were unlawful.
The administration then introduced blanket 10 per cent tariffs on imports from around the world from 24 February. However, those duties were also ruled illegal by the US trade court.
The decision is currently being appealed, allowing the tariffs to remain in place while the case continues.
Jamieson Greer, the US Trade Representative, criticised what he described as insufficient action from America's major trading partners.
The decision is currently being appealed, allowing the tariffs to remain in place while the case continues
|GETTY
He said: "The failure of our most important trading partners to address the importation of goods made with forced labor is unacceptable.
"This creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field. We will no longer tolerate this disparity."
Mr Greer added that although some countries have started taking steps to tackle the issue, all trading partners must do more to prevent global trade from supporting forced labour practices.
The proposed duties stem from a section 301 investigation examining whether 60 economies have adequately prohibited imports of goods manufactured using coerced workers.
President Trump previously introduced sweeping tariffs on many countries | REUTERSWashington is now seeking public input on the plans, with formal hearings scheduled for 7 July.
A UK Government spokesperson responded by highlighting Britain's commitment to tackling forced labour both domestically and across global supply chains.
"We're tackling forced labour in the UK and in global supply chains to ensure UK businesses are not complicit in forced labour and human rights violations," the spokesperson said.
The government confirmed it continues to hold regular discussions with the Trump administration as part of ongoing negotiations
| KEIR STARMER/XThe government confirmed it continues to hold regular discussions with the Trump administration as part of ongoing negotiations and has outlined the measures Britain is implementing.
Crucially for British exporters, the spokesperson emphasised that the preferential trading terms secured under the existing bilateral agreement remain intact.
"The preferential access that UK businesses benefit from under our existing agreement remains in place and there is no change to the UK's tariff rate," they added.