US sets 10% to 12.5% tariffs on 60 partners
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President Donald Trump’s administration will impose tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 trading partners, arguing that they have not adequately enforced restrictions on goods made with forced labour. The measures replace temporary worldwide tariffs that expire on Friday, maintaining broad US import taxes and potentially affecting trade relations, businesses and consumer prices.
Most affected partners, including China and Vietnam, will face a 12.5% rate, while 17 countries—including the UK, Canada and Mexico—will be charged 10%. The EU’s combined charges will amount to either 10% or 12.5%; exemptions cover oil, gas, fertiliser, certain USMCA-compliant goods and products already subject to sector-specific tariffs. The policy relies on Section 301 authority after the Supreme Court invalidated earlier tariffs introduced under emergency powers.
- US imposes 10% to 12.5% tariffs on 60 trading partners
- UK, Canada and Mexico face a 10% rate
- Policy follows court rejection of earlier emergency tariffs
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Tariffs are taxes charged on imported goods. The United States uses them to raise the cost of overseas products entering its market, which can affect the prices paid by businesses and shoppers and influence where companies buy their supplies.
The policy concerns claims that some countries have not done enough to stop goods made with forced labour from reaching international trade. Forced labour is work people are made to do against their will, often under threat or without fair pay. China, Vietnam, the UK, Canada, Mexico and the European Union are among the trading partners involved.
The US president can impose some trade measures under laws passed by Congress, though courts can limit which legal powers an administration may use. The measures could shape relations between the US and its trading partners, and countries may decide whether to seek talks, change policies or respond with their own trade measures.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters argue that targeted tariffs give the United States meaningful leverage to press trading partners to enforce bans on goods made with forced labour, rather than allowing abusive supply chains to benefit from access to its market. They may also see the measure as a lawful, more durable replacement for the expiring emergency tariffs, with exemptions intended to limit disruption to energy, agriculture and existing trade arrangements. In this view, some short-term commercial cost is justified by the need to uphold labour standards and protect firms competing against artificially cheap imports.
The case against
Critics argue that tariffs are a blunt instrument for tackling forced labour: they can raise costs for American households and businesses while punishing countries, exporters and workers who may not be responsible for enforcement failures. They may contend that broad charges on major partners risk retaliation, strain alliances and complicate supply chains, including with close neighbours and the UK. In this view, more precise import controls, enforcement co-operation and action against identifiable offending firms would better address forced labour without imposing widespread trade costs.
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Originally published by NPR as “Trump to impose double-digit tariffs on dozens of countries”.