Trump Trade War Returns: US Probes 16 Countries Over Industrial Capacity and Forced Labour
The US launches Section 301 trade probes targeting sixteen nations, including India, China and the European Union.
The administration of Donald Trump has launched new investigations into alleged unfair trade practices involving several major global economies, including India, China and the European Union. The move is aimed at rebuilding tariff pressure after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down significant parts of the former tariff programme last month.
According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the government has begun two separate trade investigations. One focuses on excess industrial capacity among major trading partners, while the other examines allegations related to forced labour in global supply chains. Officials say the probes could lead to new tariffs by the summer.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the investigation is being conducted under Section 301 of US trade law, which allows Washington to respond to what it considers unfair trade practices by foreign countries. The law was previously used during Trump’s first term to justify tariffs on many Chinese imports, some of which reached about 25 percent.
Also Read: US Opens Section 301 Trade Probes Targeting India and China
Besides China, the European Union and India, the probe is also expected to cover other major economies such as Japan, South Korea and Mexico. If the investigation finds evidence of unfair practices, the United States could impose new tariffs on imports from these countries.
The inquiry into excess industrial capacity will also examine trade practices in several other economies, including Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Switzerland and Norway.
Officials noted that Canada, the second-largest trading partner of the United States, was not included in the list of countries targeted in the investigation. The latest move signals Washington’s renewed effort to use trade measures to address global manufacturing imbalances and labour concerns while strengthening domestic industry.
Also Read: US Opens Section 301 Trade Probes Targeting India and China
