Trump’s Fresh Tariff Wave Targets 60 Nations—Trade War Rises

Sun Sep 06 2026 01:28:11 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

President Trump imposes a fresh 10‑12.5% tariff on 60 trading partners, prompting global backlash and sparking debate over forced‑labour claims.

In July 2026, President Donald Trump announced a new set of tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on goods from 60 of the United States’ top trading partners, citing forced‑labour violations. The move comes after a 2025 “Liberation Day” tariff regime was struck down by the Supreme Court and a temporary 10% levy expired. Major economies—from the UK, China, and the EU to Japan and Australia—have criticized the levies as unjustified, with Britain opting to exempt whisky exports following a state visit accord. The tariffs, said to cover 99.4% of U.S. imports, are expected to raise costs for businesses and consumers while prompting trade partners to seek alternative markets.

Trump’s Fresh Tariff Wave Targets 60 Nations—Trade War Rises

On July 23, 2026, the United States rolled out a new set of import duties ranging from 10% to 12.5% on goods from 60 of its biggest trading partners, a move that’s igniting a global backlash and reigniting concerns over forced labour in supply chains.

The sanctions, announced by the White House after the Supreme Court scrapped the 2025 “Liberation Day” tariffs, are said to apply to almost all American imports. The U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, framed the measure as a human‑rights imperative, claiming it would correct “a human‑rights abuse and distortive trade practice.”

But critics argue the tariff is a covert excuse for protectionist policy. Trade expert Caroline Freund notes the move is “not about forced labour” and is simply a “legal reason” for Trump to impose the duties.

The tariffs cover 60% of U.S. trade partners—most notably the United Kingdom, China and the European Union—where the duty ranges from 10% for those who have committed to enforcing forced‑labour bans, to 12.5% for those who haven’t.

Global Reactions

The United Kingdom announced it would not alter current rates despite the levies, emphasising its commitment to combating forced labour within its supply chains. The UK government also exempted whisky imports during King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit, a diplomatic gesture that kept Scotch prices unchanged.

China’s foreign ministry rebuked the tariffs as a “political manipulation” tool, denying allegations of forced labour. Yet human‑rights organisations highlight documented abuses in Xinjiang, suggesting a disconnect between official claims and evidence.

Japan, Australia, and Canada have all criticised the levies as “unjustified,” with the Australian Trade Minister describing them as “completely unjustified.”

Experts warn the tariffs could raise costs for U.S. businesses and consumers. Wendy Cutler of the Asia Society Policy Institute predicts that trading partners may seek alternative markets, while the British Chambers of Commerce expect the UK to lose its competitive edge relative to the EU.

Historical Context

Trump’s trade policy has long hinged on protecting American workers. In April 2025, he imposed up to 50% tariffs on global partners during “Liberation Day,” a move that the Supreme Court later deemed exceeded his authority, leading to billions in refunds.

Following the court’s ruling, the administration introduced a temporary 10% levy, which faded this week, replaced by the current regime.

The trade war persists, with tensions flaring between the U.S. and China and ongoing investigations into 16 countries over manufacturing overcapacity.

As the U.S. considers further tariffs, economists anticipate that the 2026 trade landscape will hinge on whether the administration can sustain pressure on its partners while managing domestic economic fallout.