US allies hit with new tariffs object to Trump's forced labor claims

World US allies hit with new tariffs object to Trump's forced labor claims July 24, 20266:31 AM ET By  NPR Staff FILE - President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025, in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein/AP hide caption toggle caption Mark Schiefelbein/AP Many of America's key allies on Friday criticized the U.S. administration's new tariffs against them, after President Trump renewed the tax on more than 60 countries just as the previous tariffs expired. The U.S. Supreme Court had earlier this year ruled that many of the tariffs imposed under emergency powers were illegal. The president cited lax enforcement of a ban on the use of forced labor to produce goods as his reason for renewing the tariffs, an allegation Australia and the European Union vehemently rejected. Those targeted with the latest penalties face between 10 and 12.5 percent on almost all American imports. Sponsor Message Here's some reaction from around the world: Australia and New Zealand Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said the 12.5 percent tariffs on his country's exports were "unjustified" and called it "an extremely disappointing decision." "We believe we do take the issue of modern slavery seriously. We have some of the most progressive legislation anywhere in the world. We say that these tariffs are unjustified and we call on the United States Government to reverse them," Farrell said. In New Zealand, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called the tariffs "extremely disappointing." "The U.S. investigation did not provide meaningful evidence to support claims in relation to forced labour. Tariffs are not the way - they drive up costs and uncertainty for businesses," he said. European Union and the United Kingdom The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also questioned Trump's rational for the new tariffs., " "If you compare our labour laws to the ones of the United States, I mean, we have paid vacations, we have...