Trump administration rolls out new tariffs on 80 countries under Section 301

After a U.S. Supreme Court ruling limited President Donald Trump’s broad tariff authority, the administration turned to other trade statutes to keep the tariff campaign alive. The White House announced that, using Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, it will impose additional tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on more than 80 foreign markets, including Argentina, citing concerns such as alleged child‑labor practices and unfair trade practices.

The move follows earlier reliance on Section 122, which allowed a 10% global tariff for a limited 150‑day period that expired on July 24. Legal challenges from small businesses and a coalition of states had already forced the administration to revise its approach. While Congress could extend the Section 122 measures, the upcoming mid‑term elections and public dissatisfaction over price increases have complicated that option. The new Section 301 tariffs are intended to be longer‑lasting and are part of a broader investigation by the U.S. Office of the U.S. Trade Representative into over‑production and other trade violations.

The tariff expansion comes amid rising oil prices driven by conflict in the Middle East, adding further pressure on global trade and domestic cost‑of‑living concerns.