The tariffs were imposed under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974, with the Trump administration stating that the action is intended to address what it described as a failure by several countries to effectively prohibit the import of goods produced using forced labour

Amid escalating tensions with Iran, US President Donald Trump said any damage caused to ships, cargo or related assets would be compensated using Iranian funds under Washington's control. His remarks came as Iran warned that continued US aggression would backfire and reiterated its opposition to American actions.