US Opens New Trade Probes Targeting 60 Countries Over Alleged Forced Labor Practices

China, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the European Union are amongst the 60 countries subject to the latest probes.

Shipping containers are stacked at a terminal at the port of Los Angeles in Long Beach, Calif., on March 10, 2026. Caroline Brehman/Reuters

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.