Key Points
- Washington has implemented fresh tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 nations, replacing a previous 10% universal levy
- These duties utilize Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, with forced labor enforcement cited as justification
- Nearly all US importsā99.4%āfall under these tariffs, excluding energy products, certain metals, and USMCA-compliant merchandise
- Affected nations span China, Australia, Vietnam, EU countries, and others; India received a rate reduction from 12.5% to 10%
- Additional tariff measures are anticipated in late 2026 following completion of a structural overcapacity review
Washington has unveiled comprehensive tariffs targeting imports from 60 nations, effective from 12:01 a.m. ET Friday. These measures replace a temporary universal 10% levy that lapsed earlier that morning. The updated duties stand at either 10% or 12.5%, depending on the country.
šŗšø BREAKING: Trump hits 60 countries with new tariffs covering 99% of all U.S. imports.
Under the new tariffs:
ā Duties of 10% to 12.5% take effect at 12:01 a.m. ET Friday as his temporary 10% global tariff expires.
ā 38 countries face the full 12.5%, 17 face 10%, and 5 faceā¦ pic.twitter.com/wggGqiUTBW
ā Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) July 24, 2026
This action encompasses 99.4% of all merchandise entering the United States. Details emerged in an official Federal Register publication released late Thursday evening.
These duties draw authority from Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. According to administration officials, the legal justification centers on inadequate enforcement of forced labor prohibitions by America’s trade partners.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer framed the measure as addressing human rights violations. “Today’s action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and distortive trade practice,” he stated.
Targeted Nations and Rate Structure
The tariff list encompasses China, Vietnam, Australia, Canada, and European Union member states. China alongside 37 additional countries face the elevated 12.5% assessment.
For the EU, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Switzerland, rates were calibrated to achieve aggregate tariff burdens of 10% or 12.5% when layered with pre-existing charges.
India experienced a downward adjustment from 12.5% to 10%. Administration officials attributed this change to constructive measures India has implemented regarding forced labor prevention.
Several governments, including Australia, Brazil, and Norway, have contested the tariffs, characterizing them as unwarranted. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas dismissed the forced labor reasoning as illogical given Europe’s robust labor safeguards.
Exempted Product Categories
Multiple product classifications escape these new levies. The exemption list encompasses petroleum and natural gas, fertilizer products, aviation equipment and components, strategic minerals, and select agricultural commodities.
Items already subject to national security-based tariffsāincluding steel, aluminum, automobiles, and copper productsāavoid supplementary charges. Merchandise qualifying under United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement provisions continues to enjoy preferential treatment.
The official documentation spans hundreds of pages detailing product-specific exemptions. Approximately 471 items were incorporated into the exclusion registry compared to preliminary versions.
Legal experts view these Section 301-based tariffs as more defensible than the measures invalidated by the Supreme Court in February. Trade attorneys note Section 301’s track record of withstanding judicial scrutiny makes these duties more resilient to legal challenges.
Research from Yale Budget Lab calculated America’s current effective tariff rate at approximately 11.8%. Implementation of these new duties could elevate that figure by one to two percentage points.
Administration representatives have indicated plans to restore Chinese tariffs to 20%, matching the threshold established in a November 2025 trade agreement with Beijing. Further tariff actions connected to an ongoing excess structural capacity inquiryātargeting China, the EU, and 16 additional trading partnersāare projected for later this year.
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