US trading partners rip new Trump tariffs: ‘Completely unjustified’

International US trading partners rip new Trump tariffs: ‘Completely unjustified’ Comments: by Finya Swai - 07/24/26 8:23 AM ET Comments: Link copied by Finya Swai - 07/24/26 8:23 AM ET Comments: Link copied

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U.S. trading partners including China, Japan and Australia pushed back on Friday against President Trump’s latest round of tariffs, arguing the levies are “completely unjustified.”

The new import taxes, ranging from 10 percent to 12.5 percent for 60 countries, took effect just after midnight on Friday and cover 99.4 percent of goods coming into the U.S.

The Trump administration announced the new measures Thursday, saying they were authorized under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 following a four-month investigation into claims of alleged forced labor in the supply chain.

Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell condemned the tariffs and denied allegations that the country had failed to combat modern slavery.

“We believe that amongst all of the countries in the world Australia does take the issue of slavery, modern slavery, seriously, and will continue to do that,” Farrell told reporters in Adelaide, Australia.

He added that the higher taxes are “completely unjustified” and that Australian officials “will continue to lobby the United States Trade Representative to remove all tariffs on Australian goods.”

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon similarly described the tariffs as “extremely disappointing,” calling the action unjustified and harmful to trade.

“Extremely disappointing to see new US tariffs on New Zealand and 59 other countries,” he wrote late Thursday on social platform X. “The US investigation did not provide meaningful evidence to support claims in relation to forced labour. Tariffs are not the way — they drive up costs and uncertainty for businesses.”

China also expressed its longstanding condemnation of the additional levies, with spokesperson Lin Jian saying the country “opposes all forms of unilateral tariffs.”

“Tariff wars and trade wars do not serve any parties’ interests,” Lin said during a daily briefing.

Japan blasted the tariffs after its exports were hit with a 12.5 percent tariff. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Tokyo had an understanding that an earlier trade agreement with the U.S. meant no additional tariffs would be imposed beyond a previously negotiated 10 percent import duty.

“Our understanding is both sides are still committed to that,” Kihara said during a news conference.

“It is regrettable that the measure imposes tariffs on the grounds of non-existence of measures banning imports of goods made by forced labor, even though Japan’s industry and trade are in line with international rules,” he added.

According to The Associated Press, Singapore said it would continue to engage with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to seek alternatives, while South Korea said it would maintain close contact with Washington to preserve what it described as a mutual “balance of benefits.”

The fresh tariffs also come as the president’s 10 percent global tariff is set to expire Friday. He issued the baseline tax after the Supreme Court struck down the bulk of his emergency tariffs earlier this year.