“These investigations will determine whether foreign governments have taken sufficient steps to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor and how the failure to eradicate these abhorrent practices impacts U.S. workers and businesses,” Greer said in a statement.
The list of 60 economies under the new probe includes major US trading partners and allies such as Australia, Canada, the European Union, Britain, Israel, India, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well as China and Russia.The move forms part of the Trump administration’s effort to reassert tariff pressure globally after the US Supreme Court on February 20 struck down the president’s sweeping reciprocal tariff regime as unlawful.
In response to the ruling, Trump invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, imposing a 10% tariff for 150 days while his administration exploreed alternative trade enforcement tools.
Also Read: Section 301 since 1999: Major US investigations — and how they ended
The forced-labour investigation is distinct from the earlier probe which targeted 16 economies including India, Mexico, China, the European Union, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Thailand.
That earlier investigation centres on “excess industrial capacity” and alleged trade distortions, and officials indicated that it could eventually lead to tariffs, service-related fees or other trade measures after the inquiry and consultations are completed.
“We do expect that there will be other Section 301 investigations on a country-specific basis, or maybe other tools or investigations that may come up,” Greer told reporters when announcing the 16-country probe. “I won’t go into too much detail.”
Under the Section 301 process, the US Trade Representative’s office will seek written submissions, hold hearings and consult with the governments concerned before determining its findings and any potential response.
“After all of that, we will have our findings and our analysis, and we will propose, if necessary, a responsive action,” Greer said. “Responsive action can take a number of forms. It can be tariffs, it can be fees on services, it can be other things.”
The forced-labour probe builds on existing US measures targeting products linked to labour abuses.
Washington has already tightened restrictions on solar panels and other goods from China’s Xinjiang region under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, legislation signed by former president Joe Biden.
US officials have long alleged that Chinese authorities operate labour camps for ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, an accusation that Beijing denies.
Greer said the administration aims to complete the Section 301 investigations — along with any proposed remedies — before Trump’s temporary tariffs expire in July, potentially setting the stage for further trade action.
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