The United States has initiated new trade probes into 60 economies to determine whether their trade practices have enabled imports made with forced labor, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) said on March 12.
The probes are being conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which looks into potential unfair trade practices by trading partners. Those found to be in violation could face tariffs.
Among the 60 economies subject to the latest probes are Australia, China, Canada, India, Israel, Mexico, Japan, the European Union, Russia, South Korea, and Vietnam, according to the USTR.
“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 the statement….
US Opens New Trade Probes Targeting 60 Countries Over Alleged Forced Labor Practices
