Trump imposes global tariffs of up to 12.5%

The administration of US President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on the country's major trading partners, as part of measures it said are designed to combat forced labor and strengthen US trade policy against legal challenges.

In a statement issued Friday, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the new tariffs will replace the temporary 10% universal tariff that expires early Friday Eastern Time.

The Trump administration introduced the expiring tariff in February after a US Supreme Court ruling struck down most of the previous global tariffs.

Under the new tariff regime, countries with laws prohibiting forced labor will face a 10% tariff, while those without such legislation will be subject to a higher 12.5% tariff.

The Office of the US Trade Representative said the new tariffs will apply to imports from 60 countries, representing about 99% of US foreign trade.

The new tariffs are scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday (07:01 a.m. Makkah time), coinciding with the expiration of the current temporary tariff.

The administration exempted goods already subject to tariffs imposed on national security grounds, including imports of steel, aluminum, automobiles, and auto parts. Certain food and agricultural products, fertilizers, and energy products are also exempt.