The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it has initiated a Section 301 investigation into 60 countries that ban the import of goods produced with forced labor but have failed to effectively enforce such prohibitions.

Section 301(b) of the Trade Act targets foreign unfair trade practices that burden or restrict U.S. commerce, considered unreasonable or discriminatory.

In a fact sheet released on the 12th (local time), the USTR stated, "Forced labor means labor or services which are exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty for its nonperformance and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily."

The USTR explained, "U.S. law has prohibited the import of goods mined, produced, or manufactured with forced labor for almost 100 years. International law also universally recognizes that forced labor should not be tolerated."

In an interview with CNBC, Representative Jamieson Greer said, "We are trying to move very quickly. By taking action within a few months, we aim to resolve these issues that have plagued the global trading system for a long time."

Greer did not hide the fact that this measure reflects the administration's commitment to correcting trade imbalances.

He emphasized that trade agreements through tariffs are leading to tangible results, stating, "The trade relationship with China has become much more balanced, and the goods trade deficit has decreased by 30% over the past year."

The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that as of 2021, 28 million people worldwide are subjected to forced labor, an increase of 2.7 million since 2016.

The USTR pointed out that companies that utilize forced labor sell products at lower prices, causing disadvantages to both American workers and exporters.

In this investigation, the USTR will "focus on 60 major trading partners," which account for over 99% of U.S. imports in 2024. This includes major allies such as South Korea, Japan, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

The USTR has already requested cooperation from the respective countries, and "several countries have pledged to adopt these measures in the ongoing trade agreement negotiations with the United States." However, "it appears that none of the countries under investigation have yet adopted and effectively enforced a ban on the import of goods produced with forced labor."

It added, "This investigation will examine whether such acts, policies, or practices burden or restrict U.S. commerce and, if necessary, what actions should be taken."

The following is a list of countries subject to this investigation:

1. Algeria 2. Angola 3. Argentina 4. Australia 5. Bahamas 6. Bahrain 7. Bangladesh 8. Brazil 9. Cambodia 10. Canada 11. Chile 12. China 13. Colombia 14. Costa Rica 15. Dominican Republic 16. Ecuador 17. Egypt 18. El Salvador 19. European Union 20. Guatemala 21. Guyana 22. Honduras 23. Hong Kong 24. India 25. Indonesia 26. Iraq 27. Israel 28. Japan 29. Jordan 30. Kazakhstan 31. Kuwait 32. Libya 33. Malaysia 34. Mexico 35. Morocco 36. New Zealand 37. Nicaragua 38. Nigeria 39. Norway 40. Oman 41. Pakistan 42. Peru 43. Philippines 44. Qatar 45. Russia 46. Saudi Arabia 47. Singapore 48. South Africa 49. South Korea 50. Sri Lanka 51. Switzerland 52. Taiwan 53. Thailand 54. Trinidad and Tobago 55. Türkiye 56. United Arab Emirates 57. United Kingdom 58. Uruguay 59. Venezuela 60. Vietnam.

By Sung Ku Hong, Chief Reporter, U.S. NNP / Special Correspondent for this paper NNP info@newsandpost.com