The latest wave of tariffs imposed by the United States, ranging from 10% to 12.5% on imports from most trading partners, has sparked widespread criticism. Countries accuse Washington of unilateral actions and warn that these measures could negatively affect American consumers and disrupt global trade.
Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide spoke out against the new 12.5% US tariff on Norwegian imports. He stated that Norway strongly disagrees with the unilateral application of US tariffs against Norway and other countries, as well as the justification for this new tariff.
These tariffs were introduced under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which grants the US authority to combat unfair or discriminatory foreign economic practices. The US implemented a new wave of duties on imports from 60 countries, which account for 99% of US imports, claiming that these nations have failed to adequately prohibit goods produced using 'forced labor.'
Norway called the tariff unjustified, stating that clear rules exist to prevent the trade of goods produced by forced labor, according to the country.
Many US allies, trade partners, and Americans themselves have expressed dissatisfaction and condemnation. Brazil stated that the tariffs are 'arbitrary' and 'unjustified,' criticizing a representative of the US Trade Representative for lacking legal basis in domestic legislation to support this protectionist trade policy and manipulating an issue of great importance to the workers' rights movement.
Australia's Trade Minister Don Farrell also called the tariffs 'completely unjustified' and vowed to continue seeking the removal of 'all tariffs on Australian goods.' Japan's Cabinet Minister Minoru Kihara noted that it was 'a pity that the measure imposes tariffs based on the absence of measures to ban the import of goods produced by forced labor, although Japanese industry and trade comply with international rules.'
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described the 12.5% tariffs on his country as 'extremely disappointing.' Within the US, two small companies—spice importer Burlap & Barrel and California watch retailer Collective Horology—jointly filed a lawsuit on Friday. They argue that the new tariffs require more detailed, country-specific justification regarding unfair trade practices for legal grounding.
In the lawsuit, the small businesses pointed out that Section 301 tariffs have historically been applied to specific countries and industries, and Trump's broad approach lacks historical precedent.
In addition to the condemnations, Canada's Minister of Domestic Trade, Dominic LeBlanc, noted that the tariffs 'were not a surprise,' as they came into effect simultaneously with the expiration of a previously imposed global 10% tariff set by Trump. Mexico's Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard similarly noted the timing of the new tariffs coinciding with the end of previous ones.
Marcelo Ebrard stated on social media: 'One replaces the other, so the tariff regime remains.' John Diamond, Director of the Tax and Budget Policy Center at the Baker Institute, told Al Jazeera that the US administration was looking for new authority to replace expiring tariffs and decided to use Section 301.
Ma Wei, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of American Studies, also suggested that this measure is intended to replace the now-inactive Section 122 tariffs, adding that it is little related to the so-called 'forced labor' issue. Ma noted: 'This was not a case of conducting an investigation and then issuing a conclusion; rather, the decision to impose additional tariffs was made in advance, and the justification was sought later.'
Ma emphasized that since the tariffs cover 60 economies and include almost all imported goods, the measure essentially represents a large-scale tariff increase imposed on the entire world, merely disguised as concern for human rights. Alan Wolff, former Deputy CEO of the World Trade Organization, stated in a social media post that the new tariffs will be another example of an overreach of presidential authority.
Beyond the criticism, there is a warning that the tariffs could ultimately create negative consequences for both consumers and global trade. Economist and former Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Gita Gopinath, reported in an X post that an IMF working paper suggests that the tariffs imposed by the US in 2025 did little to reduce prices from foreign exporters. Instead, US buyers increasingly turned to cheaper suppliers whose products were often of lower quality.
According to the study, the result is that consumers may pay higher prices, including tariffs, for lower-quality goods. Uruguay's President Yamandu Orsi stated on Friday that the rise in US tariffs reflects a trend toward more protectionist global trade. He added: 'Protectionism is gaining strength; it is a daily struggle worldwide, and we must be very smart and careful.'
The head of the Bank of France, Emmanuel Moulin, told BFM Business TV that US tariffs are creating 'great uncertainty for global trade, and this is clearly not favorable for growth.' The UN Conference on Trade and Development released its latest World Trade Report on Wednesday, identifying trade policy uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and unilateral restrictive measures as the main risks facing international trade. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development had previously warned that rising protectionism could limit investment, slow productivity growth, and increase costs in global supply chains.
The City of Johannesburg has made a payment exceeding R4.3 billion to settle its outstanding electricity debt with Eskom. This action was taken by the municipal company to prevent potential power outages in Johannesburg.
Previously, IOL reported that Eskom had warned of possible reductions, interruptions, or disconnections of electricity in parts of Johannesburg after the city and City Power failed to repay over R5 billion in unpaid bills.
The municipal company stated that it has received and is currently reviewing submissions from residents and other interested parties under the PAJA process, which was initiated due to the unpaid electricity bill.
Eskom noted that although payments made by City Power and the City of Johannesburg show positive momentum, the total debt has not yet been fully cleared. As of July 24, 2026, the total overdue balance amounted to R3,801,864,153.45, of which R1,222,786,264 relates to the current overdue account, and R2,579,077,889.00 relates to the balance under the High Court-approved settlement agreement.
The utility also reported that the current electricity bill of R2,636,676,621.00 is due by August 3, 2026. Furthermore, the City committed to making payments totaling R5,117,736,000 by August 21, 2026.
Eskom added that the PAJA process has been extended until August 22, 2026. This will allow the company to complete the assessment of received submissions and monitor the City's compliance with its obligations to pay electricity bills and its promised payments. The utility emphasized that nothing during this process constitutes a waiver of any rights available to Eskom under applicable agreements, court orders, or legislation.
A delegation from the Fergana region arrived in Afghanistan with the aim of developing cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, and investment. The delegation was headed by Governor Khayrullo Bozorov and included about 150 entrepreneurs from the region.
Official meetings and business negotiations are planned during the visit in Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif. Representatives from the Fergana region plan to study the opportunities of the Afghan market, identify promising production sectors based on local demand, and increase export volumes.
Special attention will be paid to establishing direct partnerships between businessmen from both countries. Furthermore, during this trip, the possibility of opening new Trade Houses of Fergana in Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif is being considered.
Upon arrival, the delegation from the Fergana region was met at Kabul International Airport by Said Karim Hashimi, Chairman of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as other officials.
