Trump hits 80 nations with new tariffs after Supreme Court setback

President Donald Trump has reignited global trade tensions by imposing fresh tariffs on more than 80 countries, triggering protests from allies and trading partners just months after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled many of his previous import duties were unlawful.

The new measures replace the temporary 10 per cent global tariff that expired on Friday and target countries including Britain, Canada, Mexico, Australia, India, China and all 27 European Union member states.

New legal route to revive tariffs

Rather than relying on the emergency powers struck down by the Supreme Court, the Trump administration has introduced the tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, arguing they are aimed at countries that fail to prevent imports produced through forced labour.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Washington was determined to ensure its trading partners matched American standards.

"The United States has had a forced labour import ban for nearly a century," Greer said. "It is well past time for our trading partners to do the same."

Most affected countries face tariffs of either 10 or 12.5 per cent.

Allies condemn the move

The announcement prompted an immediate backlash.

Australia and Brazil described the tariffs as unjustified and said they would seek their removal, while Norway questioned the legal basis for the measures.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Brussels would seek urgent clarification, arguing the bloc had honoured commitments made under last year's transatlantic trade agreement.

Canada also objected, insisting it already has strong safeguards against forced labour and should not be included in the new measures.

Business leaders warned that tackling forced labour should be pursued through international cooperation rather than unilateral tariffs.

Legal battle far from over

Trump has long argued tariffs protect American industry, reduce trade deficits and force trading partners to negotiate fairer deals.

However, critics say the Constitution gives Congress—not the president—the authority to impose taxes and tariffs.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump's previous emergency tariff programme exceeded presidential powers, forcing the White House to seek an alternative legal route.

Trade experts believe the latest policy could face fresh court challenges.

Former World Trade Organization deputy director-general Alan Wolff described the move as another example of presidential overreach, arguing that Congress never granted such sweeping authority under Section 301.

Americans feeling the impact

The political risks are also growing ahead of November's midterm elections.

Recent polling suggests a majority of Americans believe tariffs have pushed up household prices, with many Republican voters sharing that view.

Higher energy costs linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict have added further pressure, driving inflation to its highest level in three years.

Despite mounting criticism, the Trump administration insists its economic strategy is working.

During a Senate hearing this week, Greer rejected claims that tariffs have increased prices for American families, arguing that core inflation has continued to ease even as the broader economy absorbs the impact of rising energy costs.

With fresh legal challenges widely expected and international opposition hardening, Trump's latest tariff offensive is set to become another major battleground in both U.S. politics and global trade.

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Trump hits the US with new tariffs after Supreme Court setback