JULY 24, 2026

Trump Administration Imposes New Forced-Labor Tariffs on Roughly 60 Trading Partners

The Trump administration announced new tariffs of 10% and 12.5% on goods from approximately 60 trading partners — including the European Union and China — citing those countries' alleged failure to enforce bans on forced labor. The tariffs took effect at midnight, timed to coincide with the expiration of a 10% global tariff that the Supreme Court had struck down earlier this year. Major categories including energy and many foods were exempted from the new duties.

The new tariff package, announced overnight, covers more than 99% of imports to the United States, according to NPR's reporting. The administration described the duties as a response to trading partners importing goods made with forced labor. Reuters reported that the announcement drew protests from the targeted trading partners, who objected to the forced labor allegations.

The timing of the tariffs was notable: they went into effect at the same moment the prior 10% global tariff — which the Supreme Court had struck down — expired, effectively replacing one broad import levy with another structured around a different legal rationale.

Earlier in the week, President Trump also signed proclamations imposing 50% tariffs on a selection of Canadian goods, according to NPR, adding to a wider pattern of escalating trade actions by the administration.