BANGKOK (AP) - President Donald Trump's newest tariffs sparked objections Friday from trading partners including China and Japan, as Australia's trade minister labeled the steps entirely unwarranted.

The administration imposed duties ranging from 10 percent to 12.5 percent on 60 economies late Thursday, citing insufficient enforcement of bans on goods produced with forced labor.

Countries reject labor claims as baseless

Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell dismissed links between Australia, a key supplier of beef, gold and copper, and modern slavery, noting the tariff on its shipments to the U.S. rose to 12.5 percent from the prior 10 percent level set after last year's Liberation Day increases.

Farrell told reporters in Adelaide that Australia takes modern slavery concerns seriously and will keep addressing them. He added that the higher tariffs are completely unwarranted and that Canberra will keep pressing the United States Trade Representative to lift all duties on Australian products.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called the 12.5 percent tariff on his nation extremely disappointing, unjustified and damaging to commerce. He noted that a U.S. probe offered little evidence backing forced labor claims and stated that tariffs raise costs and uncertainty for companies.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas challenged the U.S. position in remarks to Channel News Asia, pointing out stronger labor protections in Europe such as paid vacations and better employee conditions.

Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry, also facing the 12.5 percent rate, reaffirmed its opposition to forced labor and said it would continue talks with the USTR to find solutions.

Some seek to avert the duties

Japan protested the 12.5 percent tariff on its exports, recalling earlier assurances from the Trump administration that no additional duties would apply beyond a prior 10 percent agreement. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said both sides remain committed to that understanding and called the new measure regrettable given Japan's compliance with international standards.

South Korea pledged ongoing dialogue with the United States to maintain balanced benefits. Its trade ministry noted reduced uncertainty from the announcement but highlighted a continuing Section 301 probe into excess production, stressing that combined duties should stay at or below 15 percent.

Thailand acknowledged the new 12.5 percent tariff but pointed out exemptions covering roughly 2,120 items that represent more than half the value of its exports to the U.S.

China rejects unilateral tariffs

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs opposed all forms of unilateral tariffs in response to the new 12.5 percent duties. Spokesman Lin Jian said tariff and trade wars benefit no one.

Trade frictions have strained ties between the world's two largest economies following sharp drops in Chinese exports after last year's Liberation Day tariffs. Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who established new trade and investment boards during their mid-May Beijing meeting, are slated to meet again in September.

Some Chinese exporters report limited effects so far, as current U.S. tariffs remain below last year's initial 34 percent levels. Richard Chan of Golden Arts Gifts and Decor in Dongguan noted his firm's U.S. sales share has already declined to 10-20 percent, prompting a shift toward Europe, which now accounts for about 70 percent of sales.

Latest duties may endure

Former senior U.S. trade official Wendy Cutler observed few surprises in the new tariffs, which fall between 10 percent and 12.5 percent. The U.S. Trade Representative completed a four-month Section 301 investigation to satisfy legal standards under the 1974 Trade Act.

Cutler, now senior vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said time will show if this third tariff attempt withstands legal challenges and noted these duties face lower court reversal risk than prior rounds. Additional tariffs tied to excess capacity claims may arrive in the fall.

Analysts view tariffs as less disruptive

William Bratton of BNP Paribas noted rising trade friction in Washington but highlighted that these tariffs are lower than earlier reciprocal ones under the Emergency Powers Act and exempt a large share of Asia's trade flows with the U.S.

Cutler added that many product exclusions cover items the U.S. does not produce, which should lessen the duties' impact, though they will still push up prices for consumers and businesses importing inputs and equipment.