New tariffs on nearly every import into the United States took effect at midnight Friday, hitting goods from 60 countries that supply 99.4% of everything Americans buy from overseas.
Story Snapshot
- New 10% and 12.5% tariffs began July 24, 2026, covering 60 trading partners including the European Union, China, Canada, and India.
- The duties replace a temporary 10% global tariff that expired the same day it went into effect.
- The administration says the tariffs punish countries for failing to stop forced-labor goods from entering the supply chain.
- Analysts estimate the tariff regime could cost the average household about $1,000 a year.
New Tariffs Cover Almost All U.S. Imports
The Trump administration imposed new tariffs of 10% and 12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners early Friday morning. Reuters reported the duties cover 99.4% of all U.S. imports, making this one of the broadest tariff actions of Trump’s second term. The action replaced a temporary 10% global tariff that had been in place since February and expired the exact same day.
Officials say the new rates depend on whether a country has adopted bans on forced-labor goods. Nations that committed to import bans pay the lower 10% rate. Those that have not pay 12.5%. The White House framed the move as protection for workers and fair competition, a message aimed squarely at supporters who back “America First” trade policy.
Old Tariff Expired Just as New One Began
The prior 10% surcharge came from a White House proclamation signed in February that applied to nearly all imported goods for 150 days. That surcharge expired at 12:01 a.m. Eastern on July 24, the exact moment the new Section 301 duties kicked in. Trade groups describe this as less a pause and more a continuation, with the government swapping one broad tariff for another.
A short exception applies to goods already in transit. Shipments that left port before the deadline get a grace period through July 28 before the new rates apply. Trade-compliance firms say this detail matters for importers trying to avoid sudden cost spikes on inventory already on the water.
Consumers and Businesses Brace for Cost Increases
Critics argue the tariffs work like a tax on nearly everything Americans buy, not just goods tied to labor violations. The Yale Budget Lab estimated the broader tariff program could cost the average household roughly $1,000 a year. That estimate has fueled worry among both working-class conservatives and liberal consumer advocates who agree rising prices hurt regular families the most, regardless of politics.
Trade partners have pushed back. China has opened investigations into what it calls unfair U.S. trade practices, and other governments are weighing their own countermeasures. Business groups warn the tariffs could disrupt supply chains for retailers, automakers, and manufacturers that depend on imported parts and materials from the affected countries.
Legal and Political Stakes Remain High
The administration built this round of tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act, a different legal path than the Section 122 authority used for the expired surcharge. Trade lawyers say this shift followed setbacks the earlier tariff framework faced in court. That history means the new duties could face fresh legal challenges even as they take effect nationwide.
For everyday Americans already squeezed by inflation, the tariffs land as another disputed government decision with real financial consequences. Supporters see overdue protection for domestic workers. Critics see a hidden tax with no clear ceiling. Both sides agree on one thing: the price of goods, and the fight over who controls that price, is far from settled.
