US hits dozens of countries with new wave of tariffs - BBC

What the report says

BBC News reports that the United States has introduced a new set of tariffs on 60 trading partners, including the UK, China and the European Union, in another escalation of President Donald Trump’s renewed trade policy. The duties range from 10% to 12.5% and apply broadly to goods from countries that account for nearly all US imports, according to the Office of the US Trade Representative.

The administration says the levies are tied to concerns that trading partners have not done enough to prevent forced labour in supply chains. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the measure was intended to address both human rights abuses and trade distortions. Countries judged to have made and enforced commitments against forced-labour imports face the lower 10% rate, while others face 12.5%.

The BBC notes that the measure replaces a temporary global import duty that was due to expire on Friday, after earlier Trump tariffs were struck down by the US Supreme Court. Trade expert Caroline Freund told the BBC the forced-labour rationale appeared to be a legal basis for maintaining tariffs, while the broader aim remained reducing the trade deficit and supporting US manufacturing.

The changes have drawn concern from businesses and governments. The British Chambers of Commerce said the UK may now be at a disadvantage compared with the EU, while Brazil, Japan and Australia criticised the new duties. China has rejected forced-labour allegations, though human rights groups have reported forced labour concerns in Xinjiang. Analysts told the BBC the tariffs could raise costs, although exemptions may limit the impact.