President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on imports from more than 80 countries starting at midnight on Friday, July 23, 2026 [2], [4].
The move represents a massive shift in trade policy that impacts approximately 99% of all goods entering the U.S. [1]. By targeting nearly every import, the administration seeks to create a comprehensive barrier against products manufactured using forced labor.
These new duties range from 10% to 12.5% [1]. The measures were implemented after the Supreme Court struck down previous tariffs intended to address similar labor concerns [3], [5]. The administration is now using these broader duties to enforce prohibitions on goods made with forced labor across a wide array of global trade partners.
Reports on the exact number of affected nations vary. Some sources said the tariffs target 60 trade partners [4], while others said the number exceeds 80 nations [2].
The implementation happened nationwide at 12 a.m. on Friday [1], [2]. The sudden nature of the midnight deadline leaves importers and logistics companies with little time to adjust their pricing or sourcing strategies.
Because the tariffs cover such a vast percentage of imports, the impact will be felt across nearly every sector of the U.S. economy. From consumer electronics to industrial raw materials, the cost of importing goods from these dozens of countries will increase immediately [1].
“New duties range from 10% to 12.5%.”
This policy shift marks a transition from targeted sanctions to a near-universal tariff regime. By leveraging a broad percentage of imports, the administration is attempting to bypass previous legal hurdles set by the Supreme Court. The scale of these duties suggests a strategy where the burden of proof regarding forced labor shifts to the importer, potentially raising costs for U.S. consumers and disrupting global supply chains.
