The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has initiated Section 301 investigations into South Korea and 59 other economies for failing to adequately ban imports of goods produced with forced labor. This move comes as the Donald Trump administration seeks to introduce new tariffs to replace country-specific emergency tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court last month. South Korea's government plans to engage in close consultations with the U.S. to safeguard national interests.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) opened investigations on March 12, 2026 (local time), into 60 economies, including South Korea, China, and Japan, to assess whether their governments have implemented sufficient measures to ban imports of goods produced with forced labor. The probes, initiated under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, will evaluate if the countries' acts, policies, and practices regarding the failure to enforce such bans are "unreasonable" or "discriminatory" and burden U.S. commerce.
The list of countries includes South Korea, along with India, Indonesia, Britain, Australia, Canada, and Taiwan. USTR Representative Jamieson Greer stated in a release, "Despite the international consensus against forced labor, governments have failed to impose and effectively enforce measures banning goods produced with forced labor from entering their markets." He added, "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 labor."
This action is part of the Trump administration's push to roll out new tariffs replacing the country-specific emergency tariffs invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court last month. On the previous day, March 11, a separate Section 301 trade inquiry was launched into South Korea, China, Japan, and 13 other economies to examine "unfair" practices related to "structural" excess capacity and production, which could lead to tariffs. Section 301 allows the USTR to investigate unfair foreign trade practices on a country-by-country basis.
In response, South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced it will maintain close consultations with the U.S. to protect national interests, ensuring balance in benefits from the bilateral trade deal and treatment no less favorable than other major countries. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo told reporters on Thursday that the USTR's move appears aimed at restoring trade measures imposed before the Supreme Court ruling. South Korea previously faced 15 percent reciprocal duties but now encounters a 10 percent global tariff imposed by Washington as a replacement.
