The administration announced new tariffs on 59 countries and the European Union to address forced-labor violations in global trade.
The administration announced overnight that it is imposing new tariffs on 59 countries and the European Union. These duties, which range between 10% and 12.5%, went into effect at midnight to replace a temporary 10% global tariff that was recently struck down by the Supreme Court. The administration stated that these measures were implemented because the targeted countries are importing goods produced with forced labor. The new tariffs cover more than 99% of all American imports, though major categories such as energy and various foods remain exempt. While several major trading partners, including Australia, Brazil, Chile, and New Zealand, rejected the justification for the new duties, no major partner has yet announced retaliation. Most nations signaled a willingness to continue negotiations with Washington. These moves follow a week in which President Trump also signed proclamations to impose 50% tariffs on a selection of Canadian goods.