U.S. Opens Forced-Labor Probe on 60 Partners, Korea Included; Tariff Probe on 16

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced on December 12 that it has opened a Section 301 investigation into 60 trading partners to determine whether imports into the United States are produced with forced labor, a move that includes South Korea among the countries under review.

Among the 60 countries listed by the USTR are major U.S. trading partners such as China, Japan, Korea, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and Vietnam. The agency’s statement did not specify the products involved.

Separately, USTR said that its head announced the launch of a second Section 301 investigation aimed at imposing additional tariffs on 16 economies. The economies named include Korea, China, Japan, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, and India.

The 60-country inquiry is designed to assess whether goods imported into the United States were produced with forced labor, with the potential to result in restrictions on such imports if violations are found. The USTR emphasized its focus on labor rights and supply-chain integrity in its announcement.

The tariff-focused probe into 16 economies signals that Washington is considering new tariffs as part of its broader trade-enforcement posture. This comes in the context of ongoing discussions about tariff revenue and past rounds of reciprocal actions and tariff reductions with various partners.

For U.S. readers, the developments matter because they could affect the cost and availability of consumer goods and industrial inputs tied to global supply chains, including electronics, apparel, and autos. If findings point to forced labor or if tariffs are imposed, American manufacturers, retailers, and investors could face higher costs or adjusted sourcing strategies.

Contextual background: Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 gives the United States authority to address unfair trade practices, including through tariffs. The current announcements reflect a continued emphasis on labor standards in trade policy, alongside considerations of revenue and competitive positioning in a shifting global economy.

Overall, the two parallel moves illustrate how U.S. trade policy is pursuing labor-rights safeguards and leverage through potential tariffs, with implications for international suppliers, markets, and U.S. consumers.