President Donald Trump announced new double-digit tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 countries that together account for about 99% of U.S. imports, saying the measures are aimed at trading partners that have not adequately enforced bans on goods made with forced labor. The administration said the levies will take effect as temporary 10% global tariffs imposed earlier expire at 12:01 a.m. Friday.
The U.S. Trade Representative framed the action as a human rights and trade measure intended to correct abusive and distortive practices. The tariffs were developed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which lets the president impose import taxes and other sanctions for “unjustifiable,” “unreasonable” or “discriminatory” trade practices. Trump previously used Section 301 to impose large tariffs on China that survived court challenges.
The new move follows a legal setback this year when the Supreme Court ruled that Trump’s broader use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) did not authorize sweeping, country-wide tariffs. That decision forced the administration to rescind those levies and refund importers. The administration then implemented 10% worldwide tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act, but those temporary measures are limited to 150 days and were due to expire this week.
The White House said some countries have since strengthened their forced labor enforcement and qualified for lower tariff rates — the administration cited India as an example, reducing its rate from an initial 12.5% to 10%. Certain categories of goods are exempt from the new duties, including oil, gas and fertilizer, as well as products that are already eligible for duty-free treatment under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Officials noted that companies that import goods into the United States pay the tariffs; importers typically pass costs on to consumers, a risk evident as Americans wrestle with high living costs. The administration’s timing — rolling out the tariffs ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections — has political implications, analysts say.
More trade actions remain possible. The Trade Representative’s office is conducting a separate investigation into whether 16 countries, representing roughly 70% of U.S. imports, have overproduced goods in ways that depress prices and disadvantage U.S. firms. That probe is ongoing.
Human rights and labor experts expressed mixed views. Many cautioned skepticism about political motives but said targeted trade measures can pressure governments to adopt stronger import bans and enforcement against forced labor. The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines forced labor as work exacted under threat of penalty and without voluntary consent; its latest figures estimate about 27.6 million people were in forced labor worldwide on any given day in 2021.
Advocates urged a phased, transparent approach so countries have time to build meaningful enforcement mechanisms rather than issuing weak or unenforced bans. Lawyers and scholars noted that earlier legislation, such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, has already raised attention to forced labor risks; tariffs may further spotlight the issue but will be most effective when paired with clear investigations, enforcement assistance, and transparency about methodologies.
Some experts also pointed out a structural limitation: the new levies target imports from countries rather than goods produced domestically with forced labor, which may blunt their reach. Still, observers say the threat of tariffs has prompted several governments to amend trade policies to include forced labor prohibitions, and upcoming EU rules could add further pressure.
The administration argues the strategy supports U.S. manufacturing and worker welfare, while critics warn of higher consumer prices and retaliation risks. Implementation details, potential legal challenges, and the outcome of ongoing investigations will determine whether the tariffs produce sustained change in global supply chains or primarily raise costs for American businesses and households.