The United States said Thursday it would slap taxes of 10% to 12.5% on imports from dozens of countries accounting for 99% of US imports.

"The United States has had a forced labor import ban for nearly a century, and rigorously enforces it; it’s well past time for our trading partners to do the same," said US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

"Today's action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and distortive trade practice to improve the welfare of workers everywhere," he added.

More to follow on a developing story...