WASHINGTON, USA – The Trump administration on Friday imposed new tariffs of 10% and 12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners, including Europe, China, the Philippines, over allegations of lax enforcement of forced labor bans, just as a temporary 10% global tariff expired.
The move is the White House’s latest effort to restore President Donald Trump’s vision of a near-global tariff after the US Supreme Court in February struck down his “reciprocal” duties of 10% to 50% imposed under a national emergencies law to try to shrink the US trade deficit.
New tariffs had been expected, but trade partners around the world joined in strongly disputing the justification for them. Some, however, noted they would make little difference to current levies. There was little early reaction on financial markets more focused on the Middle East conflict.
In a statement on Friday, the Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque said it takes note of the unilateral move, and that it would “continue to engage with the US” regarding the Philippines’ policy on forced labor.
“We note that this is based on the alleged failure to impose and effectively enforce prohibition of imports made by forced labor,” she said on Friday, July 24.
