Trump Administration Imposes New Tariffs on 60 Countries Over Forced Labor Concerns

The Trump administration introduced fresh tariffs of 10% and 12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners on Friday, citing weak enforcement of forced labor bans. The move came just as a temporary 10% global tariff expired after 150 days in place.

The new duties, invoked under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, cover 99.4% of all US imports, though numerous exemptions apply, including oil, gas, fertilizer and certain food products. Officials chose this legal pathway partly because Section 301 has previously survived court challenges, unlike the broader tariffs the Supreme Court struck down earlier this year.

Which Countries Are Affected

Nations including Argentina, Britain, Canada, India, Mexico and Pakistan face a 10% rate, while 38 other countries, including Vietnam and China, were assigned 12.5% duties. The administration said it intends to raise overall tariffs on Chinese goods back toward the 20% level agreed upon in a November 2025 trade truce.

Global Pushback Follows Announcement

The European Union, Australia, Brazil and Norway criticized the tariffs as unjustified, while Canada offered a more measured response, saying it would continue engaging with Washington on trade matters.