President Donald Trump imposed new double-digit tariffs on imports from 60 countries on Friday, July 24, 2026 [1].
This move shifts the U.S. trade landscape by replacing a broad global levy with targeted pressures on human rights. The administration is using economic leverage to force trading partners to address forced-labor practices that the U.S. says are insufficiently tackled [4, 5].
The new tariffs range from 10% to 12.5% [3]. These measures take effect as a previous temporary 10% worldwide levy expires on July 24, 2026 [4].
The scope of the new policy is expansive, covering approximately 99% of all U.S. imports [2]. By targeting 60 different trading partner countries [1], the administration has ensured that nearly all foreign goods entering the U.S. market are subject to these new costs.
Officials said the tariffs are designed to create an economic incentive for nations to overhaul their labor laws. The administration maintains that previous efforts to curb forced labor through diplomatic channels have not produced sufficient results [5].
Trade analysts note that the transition from a flat global fee to these specific double-digit rates marks a strategic pivot. The move targets a vast majority of the global supply chain, affecting almost every major trading partner, to ensure compliance with U.S. labor standards [2, 3].
“New levies of 10% to 12.5% target 99% of US imports.”
The transition from a general 10% global levy to targeted tariffs on 60 countries signals a shift toward using trade policy as a direct tool for human rights enforcement. By covering 99% of imports, the U.S. is effectively making labor compliance a prerequisite for market access, which may lead to increased costs for consumers and potential retaliatory trade measures from affected nations.
