First Thing: Trump imposes fresh tariffs on UK, EU and dozens of other trading partners

Shipping containers in Felixstowe port, Suffolk. The UK is among the countries facing new US tariffs. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA View image in fullscreen Shipping containers in Felixstowe port, Suffolk. The UK is among the countries facing new US tariffs. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA First Thing: Trump imposes fresh tariffs on UK, EU and dozens of other trading partners Measures replace 10% global duty and come after supreme court declared many of the earlier tariffs illegal. Plus, how secondhand fashion got so expensive Good morning. Donald Trump has imposed a fresh round of tariffs on more than 80 countries to replace a 10% global duty that was due to expire, provoking a wave of criticism and protests from US allies and trading partners. In the latest attempt to instate aggressive trade policies despite challenges by supreme court, the president has imposed tariffs of between 10% and 12.5% on dozens of countries, including the UK, Mexico, Canada, Australia, India, China and the 27 member states that make up the EU. In effect, it replaces the blanket 10% tariff that Trump imposed in February, after the supreme court declared that many of his earlier tariffs were illegal. What is Trump’s justification for the tariffs? The newest tariffs, announced late last night by the US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, would fall under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, aimed against countries that engage in forced labor. Trump had said his administration would investigate unfair trading practices to impose permanent tariffs as soon as the February supreme court decision was announced. How have the affected countries reacted to the news? The ‘forced labour’ rationale for Trump tariffs has been met with bewilderment , with some saying their labor laws are stronger than those in the US. Southern California suburb alarmed as ‘exceptionally rare’ cancer affects several children View image in fullscreen Bill Essayli, an assistant US attorney, has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate the situation. Photograph: David Swanson/Reuters Concerns are growing in southern California over a cluster of “exceptionally rare” cancer cases that have affected several children in a suburban community. Families living in the Orange county neighborhood of Ladera Ranch, home to about 26,000 people, reported that six children had been diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, according to Katrina Foley, the vice-chair of the county board of supervisors. Ewing sarcoma, a rare cancer that primarily affects bone and soft tissue, typically affects young adults and children. How are the authorities responding? Last week, Bill Essayli, an assistant US attorney, asked the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate the cluster to determine if there is an environmental cause. Trump says decision on ‘massive attack’ against Iran is close View image in fullscreen President’s remarks follow Houthi strikes on Saudi tankers in the Red Sea and oil prices rising past $100 a barrel agai