Pakistan’s timely policy may shield it from proposed U.S. additional tariffs

ISLAMABAD (Rizwan Abassi): Pakistan’s recent trade policy has gained significance amid reports that the United States is considering imposing additional tariffs of 10 to 12.5 percent on imports from certain countries.

According to Western media reports, U.S. authorities are reviewing measures against countries that either do not prohibit the import of goods produced through forced labor or fail to ensure effective enforcement of such restrictions.

Against this backdrop, Pakistan issued an official notification on April 28, 2026, banning the import of goods produced or manufactured wholly or partially through forced labor.

According to the Ministry of Commerce notification, the import of products made through forced labor is now prohibited in Pakistan.

Under the new regulations, the federal government will identify relevant products, entities, and countries in accordance with standards and guidelines established by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Additionally, imports originating from designated countries will require documentary evidence or certification proving that the goods were not produced through forced labor.

Sources say that Pakistan’s decision to prohibit the import of forced-labor goods and implement new compliance measures is an important step toward aligning the country with international trade requirements.

Experts believe that if the United States proceeds with additional tariffs against countries that fail to take effective action against forced labor, Pakistan’s recent policy measures could help protect it from potential adverse trade consequences.

However, the final impact will depend on the scope of the U.S. policy, its implementation mechanism, and Washington’s assessment of individual countries.