The United States on Friday implemented a new round of tariffs targeting 60 trading partners, including major economies such as India, China and the European Union, as President Donald Trump moved to rebuild his administration's trade policy framework. The new duties replace a temporary global tariff introduced earlier this year and mark the latest effort by Washington to maintain broad-based trade restrictions after legal challenges affected earlier measures.

The newly implemented tariffs range between 10% and 12.5% and apply to economies that account for a significant share of US trade. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer defended the move, saying the measures were aimed at encouraging trading partners to strengthen enforcement against forced labour in their supply chains. "The United States has had a forced labor import ban for nearly a century, and rigorously enforces it; it's well past time for our trading partners to do the same," Greer said.

The tariffs were introduced after a months-long investigation and are being imposed under a different legal framework that officials believe is more resistant to court challenges. The move comes after the US Supreme Court in February struck down several of Trump's earlier tariff measures, limiting his ability to impose steep duties using emergency powers. Following the ruling, the administration introduced a temporary 10% tariff on imports while exploring alternative legal routes.

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That temporary tariff expired on Friday after remaining in place for 150 days. The new set of duties, which had initially been proposed in June, has now replaced the earlier measure. The Trump administration has argued that the tariffs are necessary to protect American workers, encourage fair trade practices and address concerns related to labour standards in global supply chains.

The latest action represents a renewed push by Trump to expand his tariff agenda, which has been a central part of his economic policy approach. During his administration, Trump has frequently used tariffs as a tool to pressure trading partners and reduce what he describes as unfair trade practices. The new duties are expected to have implications for businesses involved in international trade, particularly companies that rely on cross-border supply chains.

India is among the countries affected by the latest tariff measures, potentially impacting exporters across sectors that depend heavily on access to the US market. Businesses in affected countries are likely to assess the impact on costs, pricing strategies and future trade arrangements. Governments and industry groups may also seek discussions with Washington to address concerns over the new duties. The United States has said the measures are focused not only on trade but also on ensuring compliance with labour standards, particularly regarding forced labour.

However, affected countries have previously expressed concerns that broad tariff measures could create additional economic pressure and disrupt global commerce. With the new tariffs now in effect, attention will turn to how trading partners respond and whether negotiations take place to reduce or modify the duties. The move adds another layer of uncertainty to global trade relations at a time when economies are already managing inflation pressures, supply chain challenges and geopolitical tensions. The Trump administration, meanwhile, is expected to continue using tariffs as a key instrument in reshaping US trade policy.

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