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US imposes new tariffs on more than 80 countries to replace expiring levy
The fresh duties, announced by the US trade representative, range from 10% to 12.5% under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 targeting forced labor practices.
The US has imposed a new round of tariffs on more than 80 countries to replace a blanket 10% duty that was due to expire on Friday, according to the Guardian Economics. The move comes after the US Supreme Court declared many earlier Trump-era tariffs illegal, setting a new legal basis for the latest levies.
The new tariffs apply rates of 10% or 12.5% across dozens of countries, including the United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, Australia, India, China, and the 27-member European Union. The duties were announced late on Thursday by the US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, and are being framed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which is aimed at countries that engage in forced labor.
Greer said the US has long enforced a forced labor import ban and called on trading partners to adopt and enforce similar prohibitions. Australia and Brazil said the tariffs were unjustified and indicated they would seek their removal, while Norway’s foreign minister said there was no basis for the new duties, and the EU said it would seek clarification from Washington.
Canada, one of the largest US trading partners, immediately responded that it should not be targeted and highlighted its role in fighting against forced labor, as described by the outlet. The EU also characterized the step as a shock, with the bloc saying it honored commitments under a transatlantic trade agreement reached last year.