Donald Trump has imposed a fresh round of tariffs on more than 80 countries to replace a 10% global duty that was due to expire, provoking a wave of criticism and protests from US allies and trading partners.
Details of the New Tariffs
In the latest attempt to pursue aggressive trade policies despite challenges by supreme court, the president has imposed tariffs of between 10% and 12.5% on dozens of countries, including the UK, Mexico, Canada, Australia, India, China and the 27 member states that make up the EU. In effect, it replaces the blanket 10% tariff that Trump imposed in February, after the supreme court declared that many of his earlier tariffs were illegal.
Justification and Reactions
The newest tariffs, announced late last night by the US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, would fall under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, aimed at countries that engage in forced labor. Trump had said his administration would investigate unfair trading practices to impose permanent tariffs as soon as the February supreme court decision was announced. The “forced labour” rationale for Trump tariffs has been met with bewilderment, with some saying their labor laws are stronger than those in the US.
