The United States has placed fresh tariffs on 60 trading partners, the latest escalation in the trade battle sparked by US President Donald Trump’s return to office last year. Those targeted, including the United Kingdom, China, and the European Union, will face tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on all items, which account for nearly all American imports.
The tariffs, which replace an identical levy that expires on Friday, are based on claims that key economic partners have failed to adequately address forced labour. However, US trade expert Caroline Freund stated that the move is “not about forced labour” and that Trump is just “looking for a legal reason to impose tariffs.”
The United States Supreme Court found earlier this year that many of the tariffs imposed globally under emergency powers were improperly enforced. The White House proposed 10%-12.5% import duties last month, citing concerns about inadequate efforts to combat forced labor. Today’s action will begin to remedy what is both a human rights violation and a distorting trade practice, thereby improving the well-being of workers worldwide,” said US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. According to the Office of the US Trade Representative, the additional levies will apply to the top 60 US trading partners, who account for 99.4% of US imports.
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