US Imposes New Tariffs on Dozens of Countries as Stopgap Levies Expire

The Trump administration has imposed new tariffs on goods from more than 80 countries, replacing a set of temporary 10% global tariffs that expired at the end of last week, according to a notice from US trade officials.

Scope of the new tariffs

The new duties, ranging from roughly 10% to 12.5%, were linked in part to allegations of forced labour violations in supplier countries, according to the administration's notice. The measures affect a broad swath of US trading partners across Asia, Europe and Latin America.

• Tariffs of 10%–12.5% now apply to goods from more than 80 countries
• Measures tied partly to forced-labour allegations against trading partners
• Australia, China and Japan among countries objecting publicly to the move
• Canada separately hit with 50% tariffs over autos, alcohol and dairy disputes

International reaction

Trading partners reacted with dismay and anger, with Australia's trade minister among those publicly criticising the new levies. Canadian officials, meanwhile, intensified trade talks with Washington after Trump imposed separate 50% tariffs on Canadian goods over disputes involving autos, alcohol and cheese.

Economists have questioned whether the tariffs will deliver the economic gains the administration has promised, noting that similar measures in the past have often led to retaliatory duties and higher consumer prices rather than a substantial boost to domestic manufacturing.

Trade officials in several affected countries said they were considering formal complaints and possible retaliatory measures, though most indicated a preference for continued negotiation over an escalating trade dispute.