The European Union has criticized the decision by President Donald Trump's administration to impose tariffs on EU imports, stating that the justification citing lax enforcement of labor laws is unfounded. Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told Reuters during the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in Manila, Philippines, that the EU has strong labor standards and should not be accused of neglecting the prevention of forced labor. She added that when comparing EU labor laws with those of the US, the EU offers paid vacation leave and much better employment conditions, making the accusation baseless. The remarks came after the Trump administration announced tariffs on imports from 60 countries and economic zones, including the EU, at rates of 10% and 12.5%, citing insufficient enforcement of forced labor bans by many nations, while a previous temporary 10% tariff measure expired. Kallas also stated that the EU will seek clarification from the US government, emphasizing that the EU has fulfilled its obligations under the transatlantic trade agreement reached by both sides last year, and therefore views this tariff hike as surprising and contrary to the existing deal.