In brief
President Trump’s administration has rolled out new 10‑12.5% tariffs on imports from 60 major trade partners, including the UK, China and the EU. The move, framed as a fight against forced‑labour, faces criticism from businesses and governments worldwide, who warn of higher costs and retaliation. Opposition voices question the transparency of the policy, noting that the tariffs replace a previously struck‑down “Liberation Day” scheme that had unpaid refunds. The US Trade Representative says the levies aim to protect American jobs but experts say it is largely a political tool. Global investors now keep a close eye on the economic fallout across supply chains.
Trump’s administration has imposed new 10‑12.5% tariffs on imports from 60 major trade partners, citing the need to curb forced labour.
The policy drops the earlier ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs that had been struck down by the Supreme Court and refunds paid to exporters.
Business leaders warn the levies could raise costs for consumers and trigger retaliation. Governments in the UK, China and Australia have denounced the move as unjustifiable, while some trade experts say the real aim is to protect US manufacturing jobs.
The US Trade Representative says the tariffs target nearly all imports, but international human‑rights groups point to forced‑labour concerns more strongly in countries like China’s Xinjiang province.
