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The Trump administration has announced a new round of trade tariffs, this time justified by concerns about forced labor. This measure comes after the Supreme Court's setback in February and poses a new risk to the supply chains of Spanish exporters.
The Administration of Donald Trump en Estados Unidos has announced the imposition of new trade tariffs on June 3, 2026. The measure, justified by concerns about the existence of forced labor in production chains, comes months after the Tribunal Supremo The US government reversed some of the president's previous tariffs in February, marking a strategic shift in trade policy. Washington.
This new approach, focused on human rights and criteria ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance)This represents a significant shift from the national security or trade balance justifications used in previous mandates. For Spanish companies operating in the North American market, this move necessitates an immediate and thorough analysis of their global value chains.
A strategic shift: from economic protection to ESG justification
The decision to base the new tariffs on the fight against forced labor It provides the US administration with a more legally sound and internationally accepted argument, following the adverse ruling of Tribunal Supremo“We are witnessing an evolution of the trade war. It is no longer just about protecting local industry, but about using trade as a tool for exerting pressure on human rights,” explain international trade law experts consulted by Foreign Company.
This paradigm shift implies that customs investigations will not focus solely on the origin of goods, but also on the traceability and transparency throughout the entire production process. Companies that cannot certify that their products and components are free of forced labor face exclusion from the U.S. market.
The indirect impact on the Spanish supply chain
Although the tariffs do not directly target products manufactured in EspañaThe main risk to the Spanish export sector lies in the indirect effectSpanish companies that import raw materials or intermediate components from third countries—especially from regions suspected of these practices—to then assemble the final product and export it to Estados UnidosTheir operations could be severely affected.
"The focus is now on the 'due diligence' of the supply chain. US importers will demand guarantees and certifications from their Spanish suppliers regarding the ethical origin of each component,” analysts warn. This forces Spanish companies to:
- Conduct thorough audits of your suppliers globally.
- Implement more robust traceability systems, and in many cases, technology-based systems. blockchain.
- Accepting higher regulatory compliance and certification costs in order to continue operating in EE.UU.
The Trump Administration's response following the Supreme Court ruling
The announcement is interpreted as a direct and calculated response to the court setback of February 2026. By canceling some of the previous tariffs, the Tribunal Supremo This forced the White House to seek new ways to maintain its protectionist agenda. The human rights and forced labor route is, according to experts, more resilient to legal challenges both domestically and before organizations such as Organización Mundial del Comercio (OMC).
For Spanish managers, the lesson is clear: the tariff policy of Estados Unidos under the presidency of Donald Trump It has entered a more sophisticated and difficult-to-predict phase, where the risks are no longer purely economic, but also those of ethical and social compliance.
Key points and frequently asked questions about the new US tariffs.
How do these new tariffs affect Spanish exporters?
The main risk is indirect. If a Spanish company uses components from a country sanctioned by EE.UU. Due to forced labor, their final product could be blocked at US customs. The key is the full traceability of the supply chain.
What differentiates these tariffs from the previous ones during the Trump era?
The legal justification. Previous justifications were based on national security or unfair competition, arguments that were partially invalidated by the Tribunal SupremoThe current ones are based on the prohibition of imports of goods produced with forced labora much more solid legal basis with broad international consensus.
What should Spanish companies do immediately?
It is recommended to start a Urgent audit of all international suppliersespecially first- and second-tier suppliers (your suppliers' suppliers). It is crucial to require certifications and proof of compliance with labor standards to mitigate the risk of disruption to exports to Estados Unidos.
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