Trump extends tariffs on 60 countries

President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 countries, replacing duties that expired on Friday.

The White House said the countries had failed to do enough to prevent forced labour. The new justification allows the administration to use a different section of a 1974 trade law and keep the tariffs in force for up to 150 days without approval from Congress.

Imports from the European Union, Britain and Canada will face a 10% rate. Goods from China and Japan will be taxed at 12.5%. Higher tariffs on steel and aluminium remain in place.

The EU rejected the US argument. Brazil called the tariffs arbitrary, while Australia said they made no sense.