Story perspectives

US Slaps 10-12.5% Tariffs on 60 Nations Over Forced Labor

7/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

The United States imposed tariffs on 60 trading partners, 12:01 a.m. ET Friday after a 10% levy expired.
The administration cited Section 301 findings that partners failed to enforce bans on forced-labour goods.
Duties are 10%–12.5% based on partner’s compliance with the forced-labour probe.
Exemptions include fertilizers, fuels, some foods, automobiles, metals and pharmaceuticals.
Liberty Justice Center sued in the U.S. Court of International Trade for two businesses to block tariffs.

History

Historical Context

Section 301, first used in December 2001 to levy prohibitive duties on Ukraine, became the legal basis for President Trump’s March 2018 order that slapped 25% tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese imports, sparking a trade war. The Biden administration has now re-activated Section 301 against 60 countries for forced-labour violations, prompting a lawsuit by the Liberty Justice Center.

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Story summary

The United States imposed tariffs on 60 trading partners, 12:01 a.m. ET Friday after a 10% levy expired.
The administration cited Section 301 findings that partners failed to enforce bans on forced-labour goods.
Duties are 10%–12.5% based on partner’s compliance with the forced-labour probe.
Exemptions include fertilizers, fuels, some foods, automobiles, metals and pharmaceuticals.
Liberty Justice Center sued in the U.S. Court of International Trade for two businesses to block tariffs.

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