President Donald Trump’s administration has implemented a new round of double-digit tariffs targeting imports from dozens of countries, replacing temporary levies that expired early Friday. The tariffs, ranging from 10% to 12.5%, apply to imports from 60 nations that together represent 99% of U.S. imports. The administration cites these measures as a response to inadequate enforcement of bans on goods produced through forced labor.

The new tariffs take effect immediately following the expiration of a stopgap 10% tariff imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which was limited to 150 days. This stopgap had been enacted after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that the president’s previous tariffs, imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), exceeded his constitutional authority and were invalid. The high court’s decision forced the administration to refund billions of dollars to importers who had paid those earlier tariffs.

To establish a more durable legal basis, the administration is now invoking Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which permits the president to impose tariffs on countries found to engage in “unjustifiable,” “unreasonable,” or “discriminatory” trade practices. Trump previously used Section 301 during his first term to impose tariffs on China, which were upheld in court challenges. The administration has also launched an ongoing investigation into whether 16 countries, accounting for about 70% of U.S. imports, are overproducing goods and depressing global prices, thus harming U.S. manufacturers. Additional tariffs could emerge from this probe.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer emphasized that the tariffs are aimed at addressing both human rights abuses related to forced labor and unfair trade practices. Some products, including oil, gas, and fertilizers, are exempt from the new tariffs, as are those qualifying for duty-free status under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). A senior administration official noted that some countries, such as India, have managed to reduce their tariff rates by improving enforcement against forced labor.

Critics have expressed skepticism about the administration’s stated motivations. U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, characterized the forced labor justification as a pretext for tariffs based on “dubious legal theories and personal grievances.” Human rights advocates recognize the problem of forced labor and agree that import bans can be a useful tool, but caution that enforcement mechanisms need time and resources to be effective. Experts have also questioned whether tariffs targeting imports effectively address forced labor issues globally, especially when such goods might be produced domestically within other countries.

The tariffs carry economic risks domestically, as previous rounds of levies have contributed to higher consumer prices and inflation. Surveys indicate that a significant portion of Americans feel the tariffs have negatively affected them through increased costs. Despite these concerns, the administration argues that tariffs are vital to reviving U.S. manufacturing and reducing trade deficits. Commerce Department data show a modest decline in the trade deficit in the first five months of the year, with increased exports and investment in machinery for American factories cited as signs of progress.

Beyond the forced labor tariffs, the administration continues to pursue aggressive trade policies, including recent tariffs on Brazilian goods and announced plans to impose tariffs on imported generic drugs and certain Canadian products. These moves have generated uncertainty among importers and international trading partners, who are adapting to rapidly shifting U.S. trade measures. Some analysts warn that the administration is expanding its use of a wide range of trade laws and authorities to maintain leverage in trade negotiations and respond to domestic pressures.

The new tariffs mark the latest phase in a broader shift away from previous U.S. trade policy favoring lower duties and freer international commerce, reflecting President Trump’s long-standing push to prioritize domestic industry and labor, even as legal and political challenges continue.