The Trump administration is implementing new tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on more than 80 countries starting Friday. The duties target nations over alleged lax enforcement of forced labor bans, replacing expiring temporary global levies struck down earlier by the Supreme Court.
The trade policy shift arrives just as a temporary 10% global import levy expires at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Friday, according to reporting from Reuters. President Donald Trump is deploying Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to establish a permanent tariff floor across nearly all American imports, bypassing a stinging February Supreme Court defeat that dismantled his earlier emergency declarations.
The new duties cover 99.4% of U.S. imports, though exemptions apply to oil and gas, fertilizer, certain foodstuffs, and goods benefiting from the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Trading partners whose anti-forced labor laws are deemed adequate by Washington face a 10% rate, while countries with insufficient prohibitions are assessed at 12.5%. The new tariffs take effect Friday morning, covering 59 countries plus the nations of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, Australia, India, and China.
Section 301 Replaces Expiring Section 122 Levies
The White House structured the new regime to sidestep judicial limits after the high court ruled in February that the president had illegally used his executive power to implement his global trade policies. In response to that setback, the administration instituted a tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which expires on Friday.
While administration officials dispute suggestions that the forced labor tariffs are a direct continuation of the expiring levies, trade lawyers note the practical outcome matches prior rates.
Administration officials maintain that the policy directly addresses human rights concerns while protecting domestic producers and boosting American manufacturing. United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer emphasized the enforcement angle in a public statement.
“Today’s action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and distortive trade practice to improve the welfare of workers everywhere.”
Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative
Global Pushback and Retaliatory Warnings from Allies
The sweeping levies immediately triggered protests and threats of retaliation from close U.S. trading partners. Trump recently announced additional tariffs on various Canadian products.
European officials voiced frustration despite provisions that could keep duties below bilateral trade agreement ceilings.
“There is no basis for this tariff against Norway because we already have clear rules that are intended to prevent trade in goods produced using forced labor.”
Espen Barth Eide, Norway’s Foreign Minister
Economic Pressures and Revenue Goals
The White House faces pressure to recoup tariff revenue eliminated by the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a range of the president’s import taxes.
At the same time, public polling indicates domestic friction over rising costs.
“will result in higher costs, negative impacts to businesses and weakened American competitiveness. Nobody can afford this.”
Maura Healey, Massachusetts Governor
With Section 301 investigations taking effect, affected industries continue to adjust supply chains while legal analysts monitor whether the new framework will withstand upcoming challenges in federal court.
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