Signal U.S. Trade Representative Proposes Sweeping Section 301 Tariffs to Combat Global Trade of Forced Labor Goods

Summary

On 2 June 2026, USTR announced findings and proposed action in 60 Section 301 investigations into failures to enforce forced labour import bans, covering 59 countries and the EU. The investigations were initiated on 12 March 2026; USTR held consultations with 46 targeted governments, received more than 450 public comments, and heard nearly 60 witnesses over two days of hearings on 28-29 April 2026. Of the 60 economies, 54 have neither imposed nor effectively enforced a forced-labour import prohibition, while six (Canada, Ecuador, the EU, Indonesia, Mexico and Pakistan) have prohibitions but fail to enforce them. USTR proposed a 10% tariff for 15 trading partners and 12.5% for 45 trading partners, with exemptions for certain agricultural products, aviation parts, industrial inputs, minerals and pharmaceuticals. USTR stated the 60 partners account for over 99% of US imports. A further comment period and hearings followed in July 2026, with a final action notice issued in late July 2026.