Trump Potentially to Impose New Tariffs on Imports from 60 Countries

US President Donald Trump is expected to impose new tariffs of 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent on imports from 60 countries as early as this week. The Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the plan, reported on Tuesday that the new policy could take effect after the current 10 per cent tariff on most US imports expires on Friday. Officials are said to have prepared a number of options for Trump to consider. The tariffs could be imposed following an investigation into alleged use of forced labour, which would provide the Trump administration with a legal basis to circumvent restrictions after the US Supreme Court struck down previous import tariffs imposed by Trump. The report added that the initial tariff rate is expected to remain close to the current level of 10 per cent, while the government continues separate trade investigations that could later serve as a basis for imposing higher tariffs. However, several senior officials reportedly advised Trump not to sharply escalate trade tensions and to maintain agreements reached with US trading partners in 2025. The officials warned that further escalation could trigger economic turmoil amid rising fuel prices and a high cost of living ahead of the midterm elections. On 3 June, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) stated that the Trump administration was proposing new tariffs on imports from 60 countries, citing concerns related to alleged use of forced labour. The proposal included an additional 10 per cent duty on imports from countries that have or have committed to implementing full or partial bans on goods linked to forced labour, while an additional 12.5 per cent tariff was proposed for other countries. In February, the US Supreme Court ruled that tariffs imposed by Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unlawful. Trump denounced the ruling as ‘ridiculous’ and subsequently ordered a temporary 10 per cent tariff on all US imports for 150 days. He later announced an increase in import tariffs to 15 per cent for all countries. On 7 May, the US Court of International Trade ruled that the entire 10 per cent tariff imposed by Trump on foreign imports was unlawful.