US announces fresh raft of tariffs on overseas goods

The US is imposing new tariffs on imports from around 60 trading partners over claims they failed to properly stop forced labour.

The duties, ranging from 10% to 12.5%, target key economic partners – including the UK, EU, Canada, Japan, and India. They are set to go into effect on Friday.

The move is the latest escalation in the global trade war which was reignited by US President Donald Trump when he returned to office in January last year.

It comes after the US Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that many of the tariffs imposed globally under emergency powers were illegally enacted. The president has since sought other legal avenues to push through his flagship trade policy.