Trump Will Impose New Import Tariffs from 60 Countries

U.S. President Donald Trump/DOK The White House

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump is expected to impose new tariffs of 10 percent to 12.5 percent on imports from 60 countries as soon as this week.

The Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the plans, reported on Tuesday, July 21, that the new policy could take effect after the 10 percent tariff currently imposed 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 labor, which would give the Trump administration a legal basis to avoid restrictions after the US Supreme Court overturned Trump's previous import tariffs.

The report added that the initial tariff rate is expected to remain close to the current level, which is 10 percent, while the government continues separate trade investigations that could later serve as a basis for imposing higher tariffs.

However, a number of senior officials are said to have advised Trump not to sharply escalate trade tensions and to maintain the agreement reached with US trading partners in 2025.

Officials warned further escalation could spark economic turmoil amid rising fuel prices and high living costs ahead of a mid-term election.

On June 3, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Office stated that the Trump administration proposed new tariffs on imports from 60 countries on the grounds of concerns regarding alleged use of forced labor.

The proposal includes an additional import duty of 10 percent for imports from countries that have or are committed to imposing full or partial bans on goods related to forced labor, while an additional tariff of 12.5 percent is proposed for other countries.

In February, the US Supreme Court ruled that the tariffs imposed by Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were invalid.

Trump criticized the ruling as "ridiculous" and then ordered the imposition of a temporary tariff of 10 percent on all imports to the US for 150 days. After that, he announced an increase in import tariffs to 15 percent for all countries.

Meanwhile, on May 7, the US International Trade Court ruled that all 10 percent tariffs imposed by Trump on imports from abroad were illegal acts.