Trump Administration Imposes Fresh Section 301 Tariffs on 60 Nations

TLDR

Table of Contents

Washington has implemented fresh tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on 60 nations, replacing a previous 10% universal levy that lapsed
The duties fall under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, with forced labor enforcement cited as justification
Nearly all US imports—99.4%—are subject to these levies, excluding energy products, metals, and goods under USMCA rules
Nations such as China, Australia, Vietnam, and EU states face the duties; India received a rate reduction to 10%
Additional levies linked to a structural overcapacity probe are anticipated before the end of 2026

Washington has unveiled a comprehensive tariff framework targeting 60 nations, substituting a temporary universal 10% levy that lapsed in the early hours of Friday. The updated rates—either 10% or 12.5%—became effective at one minute past midnight Eastern Time on Friday.

🇺🇸 BREAKING: Trump hits 60 countries with new tariffs covering 99% of all U.S. imports.

Under the new tariffs:

– Duties of 10% to 12.5% take effect at 12:01 a.m. ET Friday as his temporary 10% global tariff expires.

– 38 countries face the full 12.5%, 17 face 10%, and 5 face… pic.twitter.com/wggGqiUTBW

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) July 24, 2026

This policy shift encompasses 99.4% of total US imports. The announcement came through an official Federal Register publication released late Thursday evening.

The administration is utilizing Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 as its legal foundation. Officials cite inadequate enforcement of forced labor prohibitions by America’s trade partners as the primary justification.

Trade Representative Jamieson Greer characterized the measure as addressing both ethics and commerce. “Today’s action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and distortive trade practice,” he stated.

Target Nations and Rate Structure

The policy affects numerous nations, including China, Vietnam, Australia, Canada, and European Union member states. China alongside 37 additional countries received the elevated 12.5% tariff rate.

The European Union, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Switzerland were allocated rates designed to achieve cumulative tariff burdens of 10% or 12.5% when factoring in pre-existing levies.

India experienced a downward adjustment from 12.5% to 10%. Administration officials credited this reduction to concrete actions India has undertaken regarding forced labor concerns.

Nations including Australia, Brazil, and Norway have voiced objections, characterizing the tariffs as unwarranted. EU foreign affairs representative Kaja Kallas dismissed the forced labor justification as illogical given Europe’s robust labor standards.

Exclusions and Carve-Outs

Multiple product categories escape the new levies. These encompass petroleum and natural gas, fertilizer, aviation equipment and components, strategic minerals, and select agricultural products.

Items already under national security tariffs—including steel, aluminum, automobiles, and copper—will not receive supplementary duties. Merchandise qualifying under United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement provisions continues to receive preferential treatment.

The official documentation spans hundreds of pages detailing product exclusions. Approximately 471 items were incorporated into the exemption roster compared to preliminary versions.

Trade attorneys view the new Section 301 framework as possessing greater legal durability than the duties invalidated by the Supreme Court in February. Section 301 has withstood previous judicial scrutiny, complicating potential legal challenges.

Research from Yale Budget Lab calculated the present US effective tariff rate at approximately 11.8%. The latest duties are projected to elevate that figure by one to two percentage points.

Administration representatives have indicated intentions to restore Chinese tariffs to 20%, matching the threshold established in a November 2025 trade agreement with Beijing. Supplementary tariffs connected to an ongoing excess structural capacity examination—targeting China, the EU, and 16 other trading partners—are anticipated before year’s end.

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