Trump imposes new global tariffs, drawing protests from trading partners

A Global Trade Tussle Escalates

The United States has imposed new tariffs on 60 trading partners, including the European Union and China, citing concerns over forced labor. This move is part of the White House's efforts to rebuild President Donald Trump's near-global tariff wall, which was struck down by the US Supreme Court in February.

The new tariffs, which took effect on Friday, cover 99.4% of US imports but include numerous product exemptions, such as oil and gas, fertilizer, and certain food items. The US claims that trading partners had failed to clamp down on trade in goods made with forced labor passing through their supply chains, an accusation those countries deny.

The move has drawn protests from some trade partners, with China opposing all unilateral tariffs and stating that trade wars do not serve any parties. The US has told Chinese counterparts that they intend to rebuild Trump's second-term tariffs on Chinese goods back up to the 20% level agreed upon in a trade truce with Chinese President Xi Jinping in November 2025.

The new tariffs are likely to face less legal risk as Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 has survived prior court challenges. The US has also sought to ensure that the new duties respect the tariff aspects of the EU-U.S. trade deal, but additional tariffs from a further Section 301 investigation into excess capacity are still to come.

The move has been widely telegraphed, with some trade partners welcoming the removal of US tariffs on certain goods, such as whisky and medical technology. However, others have expressed concerns over the impact on their economies and the potential for trade wars.

A Human Rights Abuse

The US has had a forced labor import ban for nearly a century, and rigorously enforces it. The new tariffs are aimed at correcting what the US sees as a human rights abuse and a distortive trade practice. The US Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, stated that the action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and distortive trade practice to improve the welfare of workers everywhere.

A Mixed Picture

The new tariffs have been described as a mixed picture by the British Chamber of Commerce, with a welcome confirmation of the removal of US tariffs on whisky, a lower tariff rate than competitors for steel, but a loss in comparative advantage over the EU and other countries for other goods.

A Global Trade Landscape

The new tariffs are part of a broader global trade landscape, with the US seeking to rebuild its near-global tariff wall. The move has implications for the country's economy and trade relationships with its partners. As the global trade landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how this move will impact the US and its trading partners.