Trump Imposes 10%–12.5% Tariffs on 60 Countries Over Forced-Labour Enforcement
By Atlantic Digest World Desk | FRIDAY 24 JULY, 2026
President Donald Trump on Friday announced sweeping new tariffs of between 10 and 12.5 per cent on imports from 60 countries, accusing them of failing to adequately enforce bans on goods produced through forced labour. The new measures, which took effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, cover approximately 99 per cent of all United States imports, making them one of the broadest trade actions of Trump’s second presidency.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the tariffs are aimed primarily at America’s largest trading partners and are intended to pressure governments into strengthening labour-rights enforcement and eliminating forced labour from global supply chains.
The administration’s latest action follows a significant legal setback after the US Supreme Court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 did not authorise the administration’s earlier blanket tariffs, forcing the government to refund affected importers. In response, the White House temporarily relied on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which permits worldwide tariffs of up to 10 per cent for only 150 days—a period that expired on Friday.
To maintain its trade policy, the administration has now invoked Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, giving it broader authority to impose tariffs against countries deemed to be engaging in unfair trade practices, including inadequate action against forced labour.
The White House said oil, natural gas, fertiliser, and products qualifying for duty-free treatment under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) are exempt from the new tariffs.
The announcement has immediate implications for exporters across Africa, including Nigeria, where businesses will now assess whether their products fall within the exempt categories and how the new Section 301 tariffs may interact with existing preferential trade arrangements.
Economists note that although tariffs are imposed by the US government, the costs are typically paid by American importers and often passed on to consumers through higher prices. With the United States approaching the November 3 midterm elections, the new measures could intensify debates over inflation, consumer costs and the broader economic impact of the administration’s increasingly protectionist trade agenda.
