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Trump imposes new tariffs on more than 80 countries
The fresh levies, announced by the US trade representative late Thursday, are set under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act and target imports tied to forced labor allegations.
Trump has imposed new tariffs on more than 80 countries, replacing a blanket 10% global duty that was due to expire, according to the Guardian Economics. The new rates range from 10% to 12.5% and cover countries including the UK, Mexico, Canada, Australia, India, China, and the European Union.
The Guardian Economics reports the tariffs are designed to address forced labor concerns and are set under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The move comes after the US Supreme Court declared many of Trump’s earlier levies illegal, prompting the administration to shift its approach rather than letting the earlier 10% duty end.
The US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, said the US has long enforced a forced labor import ban and encouraged trading partners to adopt and enforce similar prohibitions. Greer also said the administration would seek effective enforcement, and the article notes that he previously faced questioning during a heated exchange before US senators about whether the policies had driven prices higher.
Trading partners and allies criticized the new tariffs, with some seeking removal. The article says Australia and Brazil called the levies unjustified, Norway’s foreign minister said there was no basis for the tariffs, and the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc would seek clarification and viewed the move as a shock; Canada also immediately responded as one of America’s largest trading partners.