US Opens Section 301 Probes on Forced Labor Goods From 60 Partners

The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office said it has opened Section 301 investigations into imports from 60 major trading partners to block goods produced with forced labor. The review will determine whether such products originate in forced-labor production and could lead to tariffs or other import restrictions.

The 60 countries cited include China, Japan, Korea, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and Vietnam, among others.

The move comes as the United States looks to press ahead with new tariffs to offset reduced tariff revenue after partner countries simplified or eliminated certain tariffs with the United States.

Earlier, USTR announced a separate 301 inquiry targeting 16 economies for the preprocedural steps needed to pursue additional tariffs. The list includes Korea, China, Japan, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, and India.

For U.S. readers, the investigations matter because they could affect prices and availability of consumer goods and components sourced from these countries, as well as the cost structure of U.S. manufacturers reliant on global supply chains.

The actions reflect a broader U.S. focus on labor rights and supply-chain security in trade policy and could influence how American firms manage procurement risk, particularly in tech and manufacturing sectors.

If evidence of forced labor is found, remedies under Section 301 could include tariffs or other restrictions, though no immediate outcomes are guaranteed. The process highlights how labor practices abroad intersect with trade policy and market access for global suppliers.