Australia rejects US plan for 12.5% tariff over forced-labour claims

The United States is planning to impose a 12.5% tariff on goods from Australia, alleging the country has failed to take action to prevent slavery and forced labour. The move would affect dozens of countries and is set to replace, and slightly increase, the Trump administration's existing temporary 10% global import surcharge when it expires on 24 July. In Canberra, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the proposal was unjustified and inconsistent with the free trade agreements between the two allies.