The Israeli Cabinet approved a ban on imports of goods produced through forced labor, a proposal put forward by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.
The Cabinet described the measure as "a move of moral, economic and strategic importance, which strengthens the State of Israel's commitment to combating human trafficking and forced labor, while safeguarding the economic interests of the Israeli economy."
The action came after the Trump administration announced new tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on dozens of countries over their failure to prohibit and enforce restrictions on imports made with forced labor. The tariff decision affects roughly 80 countries accounting for 99.4% of U.S. Imports, according to the Treasury Department.
The U.S. Tariff on Israeli goods will increase from 10% to 12%. Israeli officials hope the new import ban will persuade Washington to reduce the tariff back to 10%.
Under the decision, the economy and industry minister will be instructed to prohibit imports of products manufactured through forced labor in line with international standards. An interministerial team led by the National Economic Council will develop enforcement mechanisms within 90 days for Cabinet review.
Israel's statement said the move "puts Israel on a par with the world's leading countries that are taking steps to prevent the entry into the markets of products produced using human exploitation, and strengthens Israel's credibility as a trading partner that operates in accordance with international standards. In addition to its moral value, the move is of significant economic importance."
The government will designate an authority to establish criteria for identifying goods produced through forced labor and create procedures for reporting, objections and appeals to ensure effective enforcement and fair trade standards.