The Trump administration announced on July 23, 2026, a new round of tariffs of up to 12.5% on 60 trading partners, effective at 12:01 a.m. ET on July 24. This decision aims to maintain import taxes as a temporary tariff program is set to expire. The tariffs are part of the administration's ongoing trade agenda, which has seen increased activity recently, including new tariffs on Brazil and threats against Canada.
The tariffs are based on findings from a Section 301 investigation initiated by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in March, which assessed whether trading partners were adequately addressing goods produced with forced labor. The USTR determined in June that such practices unfairly burden U.S. commerce, leading to the imposition of tariffs. Countries that have enacted bans on forced labor but are not effectively enforcing them will face a 10% tariff, while others will incur the higher rate of 12.5%.
Notably, certain goods such as oil, gas, specific fertilizers, and some food products are exempt from these tariffs to mitigate potential economic disruption. The administration has been seeking a more stable legal basis for its tariffs following a Supreme Court ruling that limited the president's authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The new tariffs reflect a shift to using Section 301, which involves a more formal process for imposing tariffs.
The administration is also exploring additional tariffs related to excess manufacturing issues as part of its broader trade strategy.