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US imposes new tariffs on dozens of trade partners, testing European strategy

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Posted Jul 25, 2026, 12:30 PM UTC · In the digest of 2026-07-25-1230
US imposes new tariffs on dozens of trade partners, testing European strategy
Photo: El Mundo

The US has announced new import duties of up to 12.5 percent on 60 trade partners, reigniting debate over the European Union's restrained diplomatic strategy.

US President Donald Trump has enacted new import tariffs of up to 12.5 percent on roughly 60 trading partners, including the European Union, following the expiration of a previous 150-day duty regime.

Washington cited allegations of insufficient action against forced labor as the legal foundation for the measures. However, international partners and legal experts have questioned the validity of these claims, noting they follow a recent US Supreme Court ruling limiting executive authority on global tariffs. The move represents the 45th adjustment to US tariff rates in 18 months.

The duties have intensified debate within the EU regarding its diplomatic response. While Brussels has largely maintained a restrained stance aimed at preventing trade escalation, critics argue this approach risks undermining European commercial authority while exposing the bloc to persistent pressure from Washington.

Sources: DW, El Mundo, Rzeczpospolita, Tagesschau

How outlets assessed this

  • Jul 24, 2026, 01:30 PM UTC
    • Tagesschau Critical Emphasized the unpredictability of US trade policy, noting 45 tariff adjustments within 18 months.
    • Rzeczpospolita Skeptical Highlighted questionable legal grounds for imposing new duties immediately after a Supreme Court ruling.
  • Jul 24, 2026, 07:00 PM UTC
    • Tagesschau Critical Framed the tariffs as part of an unpredictable and constantly shifting US trade strategy.
    • Rzeczpospolita Skeptical Highlighted doubts among international partners and legal experts regarding the justification for the duties.
  • Jul 24, 2026, 08:00 PM UTC
    • Tagesschau Critical Framed the move as part of an unpredictable trade policy, noting it as the 45th tariff rate change in 18 months.
    • Rzeczpospolita Skeptical Highlighted the dubious legal basis for using anti-forced-labor rules to maintain broad economic tariffs.
    • DW Neutral Delivered a concise, purely factual summary of the announced tariffs without adding commentary.
  • Jul 24, 2026, 09:30 PM UTC
    • Tagesschau Critical Framed Trump's trade policy as volatile and unreliable following frequent duty rate adjustments.
    • Rzeczpospolita Skeptical Highlighted legal doubts and questioned the White House's rationale for using forced labor rules to impose broad tariffs.
    • DW Neutral Reported factually on the tariff details and official White House justifications without assessing policy consistency.
  • Jul 25, 2026, 02:00 AM UTC
    • Tagesschau Critical Framed US trade policy under Trump as erratic and unreliable following frequent tariff adjustments.
    • Rzeczpospolita Skeptical Focused on legal doubts raised by experts regarding the administration's anti-forced-labor justification.
  • Jul 25, 2026, 03:30 AM UTC
    • Tagesschau Critical Emphasizes the erratic and unpredictable nature of US trade policy following repeated executive tariff revisions.
    • Rzeczpospolita Skeptical Focuses on legal experts questioning the White House using forced-labor provisions as a dubious basis for broad levies.
  • Jul 25, 2026, 08:30 AM UTC
    • Tagesschau Critical Framed Trump's trade strategy as unreliable and inconsistent, highlighting frequent changes to import tariff rates over recent months.
    • Rzeczpospolita Skeptical Focused on the questionable legal grounds cited by the White House, noting strong doubts among international legal and trade experts.
  • Jul 25, 2026, 09:00 AM UTC
    • El Mundo Critical Criticises the EU's restrained diplomatic strategy against US trade pressure, describing it as risky and subservient.
    • Tagesschau Critical Emphasises the volatile nature of US administration policy, highlighting frequent changes to trade tariffs.
    • Rzeczpospolita Skeptical Focuses on the questionable legal justification of forced-labor rules used to implement the new duties.
  • Jul 25, 2026, 12:30 PM UTC
    • El Mundo Critical Emphasized the controversial nature of the EU's restrained strategy, framing it as submissive and damaging to European prestige.
    • Tagesschau Skeptical Highlighted the erratic nature of US trade policy, pointing out frequent rate adjustments and unpredictable shifting justifications.
    • Rzeczpospolita Skeptical Focused on the questionable legal basis of the tariffs and growing doubts among key international trade partners.
  • Jul 25, 2026, 02:00 PM UTC
    • El Mundo Critical Criticized the European Union's cautious, passive diplomacy toward Washington as wearing down European authority.
    • Rzeczpospolita Skeptical Emphasized trade partners' legal doubts surrounding Washington's forced labor justification for the new import duties.
    • Tagesschau Critical Framed the move as part of an unreliable and constantly shifting US tariff policy under President Donald Trump.
  • Jul 25, 2026, 06:00 PM UTC
    • El Mundo Critical Emphasizes that the EU's submissive and cautious posture weakens its international standing and exposes it to continuous humiliation.
    • Tagesschau Skeptical Highlights the unreliability and frequent shifts in US trade policy, noting 45 tariff adjustments within 18 months.
    • Rzeczpospolita Skeptical Focuses on doubts raised by international partners and experts regarding the legal justification for the new tariffs.

Sources

Earlier coverage

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