U.S. Launches Section 301 Probes Into 60 Economies Over Forced-Labor Trade

Washington — The United States has launched new Section 301 trade investigations into 60 economies to determine whether governments have failed to prevent imports of goods produced using forced labor.

The investigations, announced Thursday by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), include major trading partners such as China, the European Union, India and Mexico. The probes are being conducted under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the U.S. to impose tariffs on countries engaged in unfair trade practices without congressional approval.

“Despite the international consensus against forced labor, governments have failed to impose and effectively enforce measures banning goods produced with forced labor from entering their markets,” U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement.

The new investigations follow separate Section 301 probes launched earlier this week targeting excess industrial capacity across 16 economies, including China, Japan, South Korea and Australia.

Trade analysts say the move may also serve as an alternative strategy after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the administration’s reciprocal tariffs last month.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative plans to hold hearings on the investigations from April 28 to May 1.

Experts say the sweeping scope of the probes could complicate relations with key trading partners and may raise tensions ahead of upcoming U.S.–China trade discussions, expected to take place in Paris.