Ankara: The US has announced a new round of tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners, escalating the trade conflict initiated by President Donald Trump after his return to office last year. These measures impose duties ranging from 10% to 12.5% on nearly all goods from countries and blocs such as the UK, China, and the European Union, affecting the vast majority of US imports.

According to Anadolu Agency, these tariffs replace a temporary levy that expired last Friday and are justified by Washington on the grounds that the affected trading partners have failed to adequately combat forced labor. The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) announced the new measures under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, reinforcing the US's longstanding import ban on forced labor products.

The USTR determined that the affected economies have engaged in unreasonable trade practices that burden or restrict US commerce. The agency pointed out that all 60 investigated economies have not imposed or effectively enforced bans on importing goods made with forced labor, which they argue gives these economies an unfair trade advantage over the US.

The tariffs mark the administration's latest effort to reconstruct a global tariff system following a US Supreme Court ruling in February. The court found that Trump exceeded his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs of 10% to 50% in 2025. In response, Trump invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a temporary 150-day, 10% global tariff, which expired late Thursday.

The 60 economies affected by the new tariffs account for about 99.4% of all US imports, as stated by USTR. A 10% tariff applies to 17 economies that have adopted, committed to, or partially enforce forced-labor import bans, including Argentina, Bangladesh, Canada, and the UK. A rate of 10% or 12.5% applies to the EU, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland, depending on the product. A 12.5% tariff applies to all other investigated economies, including China.

Certain products are exempt from these tariffs, including raw materials not available domestically in sufficient quantity, goods that could cause broader economic disruption if taxed, products already subject to separate tariffs, and goods entering under the US-Mexico-Canada trade pact.

Reactions from affected countries have been swift. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney vowed to defend Canadian interests, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas rejected the US's justification. China's Foreign Ministry opposed the tariffs, stating that tariffs and trade wars benefit no party. Japan, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, and Malaysia have also expressed concerns or opposition, with some hinting at potential retaliatory measures or plans to negotiate with Washington.