The United States Trade Representative announced on Thursday that it had opened investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 into 60 economies over what it described as inadequate action against forced labour. India is among the countries subject to the investigation. The move comes as the Donald Trump administration seeks to restore tariff pressure worldwide after the US Supreme Court ruled on Feb. 20 that his sweeping global tariffs were unlawful.
“Despite the international consensus against forced labour, governments have failed to impose and effectively enforce measures banning goods produced with forced labour from entering their markets. For too long, American workers and firms have been forced to compete against foreign producers who may have an artificial cost advantage gained from the scourge of forced labour,” said Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
“These investigations will determine whether foreign governments have taken sufficient steps to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labour and how the failure to eradicate these abhorrent practices impacts US workers and businesses,” he added.
Also Read: After 'Unfair Trade Practices', US Starts Probe Into India, Others For 'Forced Labour'
According to the official press release, once an investigation is launched, the United States Trade Representative is required to open consultations with the economies whose policies or practices are being examined.
The office said it has already sought discussions with the governments concerned. Public hearings related to the probes are scheduled for April 28 while stakeholders wishing to participate must file written submissions and requests to testify, along with a summary of their remarks, by April 15.
Here is the list of countries that will be investigated:
Algeria
Angola
Argentina
Australia
The Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Brazil
Cambodia
Canada
Chile
China, People's Republic of
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
European Union
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Hong Kong, China
India
Indonesia
Iraq
Israel
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kuwait
Libya
Malaysia
Mexico
Morocco
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Peru
Philippines
Qatar
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Trinidad and Tobago
Türkiye
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Venezuela
Vietnam
Washington has already imposed curbs on solar panels and other imports linked to Xinjiang, China, through the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which was signed into law by former US president Joe Biden. Greer said he aims to complete the ongoing Section 301 of the Trade Act probes, including recommendations for action, to be wrapped up before the temporary tariffs introduced by Trump lapse in July, reported Reuters.
On Wednesday, the Trump administration announced the launch of trade investigations into what it described as excess industrial capacity across 16 key trading partners, including India. Those probes are also being conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Also Read: US Launches Probe Into India For Running $58 Billion Trade Surplus
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