US Announces Fresh Tariffs On India And 59 Countries Citing Human Rights Issues
US expands tariffs citing human rights concerns.
The United States has announced a new round of tariffs targeting imports from 60 trading partners, including India and the European Union, citing concerns over inadequate enforcement of laws against forced labor. The new duties, set to take effect on Friday, will replace the temporary 10% global tariff introduced by President Donald Trump earlier this year, just as that measure expires. The move marks the latest step by the Trump administration to reshape US trade policy following a setback in the courts.
According to a notice published in the Federal Register on Thursday, the administration will impose tariffs of 10% and 12.5% on goods imported from the affected countries. US officials said the duties are aimed at encouraging trading partners to strengthen efforts to prevent forced labor in their supply chains. The tariffs have been imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, a legal framework that allows the US government to respond to what it considers unfair foreign trade practices. The administration said the new measures will apply to about 99.4% of US imports, although several categories—including oil and gas, fertilizers, and certain food products—have been exempted.
The latest announcement follows a February ruling by the US Supreme Court that struck down Trump's earlier "reciprocal" tariffs, which ranged from 10% to 50% and had been introduced under emergency powers to reduce the country's trade deficit. The court found that the administration had exceeded its authority under the national emergencies law. In response, Trump introduced a temporary 10% tariff for 150 days while officials worked on an alternative legal framework. The newly announced Section 301 tariffs are intended to ensure that a broad tariff regime remains in place after the temporary measure expires.
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Unlike the earlier reciprocal tariffs, the administration believes the new duties face a lower legal risk because Section 301 has previously survived court challenges. The tariffs will come into force at 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT) on Friday, the same moment the temporary global tariff expires. Goods already in transit before the deadline will be exempt until 12:01 a.m. EDT on July 28, giving importers a brief transition period. The White House has argued that the policy is designed to promote fair trade while addressing human rights concerns linked to forced labor.
The decision is expected to have implications for exporters across the affected economies, including India, which counts the United States as one of its largest trading partners. While the administration has framed the tariffs as a response to labor rights enforcement rather than a broader trade dispute, businesses and trade groups are likely to assess the impact on supply chains, pricing, and market access. The move also comes amid continued efforts by the Trump administration to pursue a more protectionist trade agenda while encouraging domestic manufacturing and reducing dependence on imported goods.
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