More Tariffs? New U.S. Trade Measures Target 60 Countries

U.S. President Donald Trump will introduce a new round of tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 countries. The move coincides with the expiration, on July 24, of the temporary duties his administration imposed after a court ruling limited his authority to implement broad trade tariffs.

According to the administration, the new policy will be implemented under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which authorizes the U.S. government to impose trade sanctions on countries engaged in practices deemed unfair. The administration argues that the affected nations have failed to adequately enforce bans on products made with forced labor, prompting the new measures.

The shift marks a new phase in Trump’s trade strategy. In February, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) did not grant the president the authority to impose the sweeping global tariffs he had justified as a response to the U.S. trade deficit. As a result, the government was required to refund tariff payments previously made by importers.

Following that ruling, the White House temporarily relied on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows tariffs to remain in effect for up to 150 days. With that period now ending, the administration has turned to Section 301, the same legal mechanism Trump used during his first term to impose tariffs on China.

According to U.S. officials, some countries succeeded in lowering their proposed tariff rates by strengthening measures to combat forced labor. India, for example, saw its planned tariff reduced from 12.5% to 10%. In addition, certain strategic products—including oil, natural gas, and fertilizers—will be exempt, as will goods that qualify for duty-free treatment under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), according to the Associated Press.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative is also continuing an investigation into 16 countries over alleged overproduction practices that Washington says harm U.S. companies by artificially driving down prices. The investigation could lead to additional trade measures.

Tariffs: Strengthening Manufacturing or Restricting Trade Relations?

While the administration argues that the tariffs will strengthen domestic manufacturing and help combat forced labor in global supply chains, experts caution that their effectiveness will depend on how they are implemented. Human rights organizations say import restrictions can help discourage the use of forced labor, but stress that they must be accompanied by strong oversight, transparency, and international cooperation to achieve lasting results.

The new tariffs also carry economic risks. In the United States, tariffs are paid by importing companies, which often pass those costs on to consumers through higher prices. This could place additional pressure on the cost of living at a politically sensitive time, just months before the midterm elections.