Australia Rejects US Claims Behind Proposed 12.5% 'Slavery' Tariff

Australia's embassy in Washington has lodged a formal objection to a Trump administration proposal to impose a 12.5% tariff on Australian imports, telling US officials it has seen no evidence to support the allegations behind the plan.

The proposed tariff is tied to claims of forced labor practices in certain Australian supply chains, allegations Canberra has firmly disputed. Australian officials say they have requested the underlying evidence from Washington but have so far received nothing substantiating the accusations.

The dispute reopens a trade fight that had appeared to be cooling in recent months, after earlier rounds of tariff threats between the two allies. Trade analysts said the episode highlights how quickly bilateral tensions can resurface even between close security partners, and Canberra is expected to press its case through diplomatic channels in the coming weeks.