USTR Initiates 60 Section 301 Investigations Into Failures to Ban Forced-Labor Imports
USTR launched Section 301 investigations into 60 economies for failing to impose and enforce bans on importing goods produced with forced labor.
What this affects
Canada
United Kingdom
Australia
Brazil
Sri Lankaand 55 other economiesThe update
USTR launched a separate wave of Section 301 investigations into 60 economies (including Canada, the UK, Australia, Brazil, and major Asian and Middle Eastern trading partners) for failing to impose and effectively enforce bans on importing goods produced with forced labor.
Impact
This creates a second, parallel track for potential new tariffs covering a much broader set of countries. Even allies and partners with existing trade deals are included, which could add duty layers to supply chains previously considered low-risk.
What to watch
This track covers allies and partners with existing trade deals, so lanes previously treated as low risk can gain a duty layer. Exemptions are set out in annexes rather than by sector. Update, September 14, 2026: twenty-five states led by Oregon sued at the Court of International Trade on August 3, 2026 (State of Oregon v. Trump, Court No. 26-03467) to vacate the forced-labor tariffs, and a coalition of small businesses brought a parallel challenge with a hearing set for September 30, 2026. CBP keeps collecting while the cases run, so budget the duty and keep entry records in case refunds are ordered later.
How to prepare
- 1Audit forced-labor compliance in your supply chain
The tariff track judges the country, but a detention judges your shipment.
- 2Map inputs below tier one
Risk sits with the yarn, smelter, or refiner, which is also where a rebuttal has to start.
- 3Build the tracing file per product line
Transaction records at each tier with quantities that reconcile.
- 4Recheck country choice against enforcement records
A country that imposes and enforces a prohibition can carry a lower rate than one that does not.
Sources
- Trump's Section 301 tariffs face lawsuit seeking removal, refunds · Supply Chain Dive · August 5, 2026
We summarize published reporting and official notices. Always confirm rates and dates against the Federal Register or your customs broker before acting on them.