Trump Administration Imposes New Tariffs on Dozens of Countries Citing Forced Labor Concerns

The Trump administration imposed new tariffs of roughly 10% to 12.5% on imports from approximately 60 to over 80 countries, effective Friday, July 24, 2026 (or Friday AEST for Australia). The tariffs, announced in the days prior and taking effect as a previous stopgap 10% global tariff expired, were justified by the administration as targeting countries that have inadequately enforced bans on goods produced using forced labor. The new duties reportedly cover trading partners accounting for as much as 99% of U.S. imports. The tariffs replace temporary Section 122 tariffs with duties issued under Section 301 authority, a shift reported to follow a Supreme Court ruling earlier in the year that struck down the administration's prior tariff mechanism. Australia was specifically cited as facing a new 12.5% tariff on many exports; Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell called the tariff unjustified and inconsistent with the U.S.-Australia free trade agreement, and the Albanese government demanded its removal, though Australia's three largest export categories were reportedly treated differently, according to partial reporting. The Wall Street Journal editorial board publicly criticized the policy as a costly "obsession" with tariffs. As of the latest reporting, the tariffs have taken effect for the affected countries. Reports differ on the precise number of nations affected, with figures ranging from 60 to more than 80, and specifics of country-by-country impacts remain only partially detailed across sources. The legal basis for the tariffs—an alleged use of Section 301 authority to work around the Supreme Court's earlier rejection of the administration's tariff approach—was raised as a point of scrutiny by at least one outlet, though the administration's own justification centers on forced-labor enforcement. Outcomes for ongoing trade negotiations, including Australia's request for removal, remain unresolved.