The US seeks to refloat its tariffs policy

The U.S. is attempting to resurrect its controversial tariff policy under President Donald Trump, proposing new duties of 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 countries—including the EU, Canada, Mexico, and the UK—using Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act. This time, the administration is framing the tariffs as a response to forced labor in global supply chains, arguing that most trading partners lack effective laws or enforcement mechanisms. Experts like Deborah Elms of the Hinrich Foundation suggest this approach is more legally durable than previous national security-based tariffs, which were struck down by the Supreme Court. However, the strategy faces legal risks: using Section 301 to punish first and negotiate later reverses the intended order of congressional authority, potentially inviting court challenges. Meanwhile, markets are reacting nervously, though oil price volatility is also influencing sentiment. On a separate front, Unilever’s CEO faces investor frustration despite executing a major restructuring—demerging, selling off assets, and merging its food business with McCormick—yet the company’s share price remains stagnant since 2017. In Nigeria, Shell is under fire for continuing to operate a polluting pipeline in the Niger Delta despite internal documents showing awareness of environmental damage, with local communities suffering from lost livelihoods and health impacts.