Trump's 12.5% Tariffs Hit 60 Countries

The Trump administration imposed new tariffs on imports from 60 countries, with rates of 10% and 12.5%, replacing a temporary 10% levy that expired Friday, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said.

USTR Jamieson Greer said the new rates are designed to combat forced labor and strengthen trade policy against legal challenges. Countries with laws prohibiting forced labor face the 10% level; those without such legislation pay 12.5%. The tariffs cover about 99% of US foreign trade, the USTR added.

The administration exempted goods already subject to national security tariffs, including steel, aluminum, automobiles and auto parts. Certain food, agricultural, fertilizer and energy products are also excluded.

The new tariffs take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time Friday, coinciding with the expiration of the temporary levy introduced in February after a Supreme Court ruling struck down most previous global tariffs.