The United States is bracing for a fresh round of protectionist measures as temporary tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump are set to expire on Friday unless Congress intervenes.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC’s Squawk Box programme that ‘we expect to see some action soon’ when asked whether new duties could target 60 different trading partners, according to Al Jazeera.

In February, the White House invoked Section 122 of the US Trade Act of 1974 to impose tariffs of up to 10 percent for 150 days without needing congressional approval. That move came after the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s earlier use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to enact sweeping global tariffs, ruling the president lacked such authority.

The administration has prepared a new wave of levies aimed at countries over various allegations, including failure to address forced labour. Greer declined to specify a timeline but stressed the new tariffs could cover a majority of US trade, escalating tensions with partners such as China, Japan and the European Union.

The announcement follows a 25 percent duty on thousands of Brazilian imports, from sugar to steel, announced last week. On Monday, the White House unveiled a 50 percent tariff on goods ranging from wine to cement, set to take effect in 30 days, accusing Ottawa of subjecting US products to ‘discriminatory treatment’.

‘President Trump is taking action to hold Canada accountable for its continued discrimination against and unreasonable and unequal treatment of US commerce that has burdened and disadvantaged hardworking Americans,’ the White House said in a statement.

Yet analysis from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy indicates that US importers and consumers bear 96 percent of the tariff burden, while the nonpartisan Tax Foundation estimates the duties will raise the average tax burden on US households by about $700.

Despite the trade turbulence, US markets traded higher midday: the Nasdaq rose 0.8 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.6 percent, and the S&P 500 climbed 0.5 percent.

The looming tariff escalation underscores the multipolar tensions reshaping global trade, as the Global South watches closely how these measures will affect South-South supply chains and alternative trade blocs like BRICS.