US Launches Trade Probe on Forced Labor, Tariffs

0:00On March 14, the United States Trade Representative has launched a major investigation into unfair trade practices by 60 economies, including the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Israel. The probe targets failures to crack down on forced labor and imports, which could lead to new tariffs on goods coming into the U.S. This move hits a wide range of countries from China and Russia to Australia and Canada. It comes right after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Trump's reciprocal tariff plan last month. In response, he slapped a 10 percent tariff on most imports for 150 days, using other legal powers. Meanwhile, the office kicked off a separate inquiry into 16 nations, including the EU and China, over government support for their industries. That hurts American workers. These steps have drawn pushback from U.S. allies already strained by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Treasury Secretary Scott Besson said, allies who complained about the tariffs weren't true partners anyway, noting the administration had warned, everyone in advance about

1:03rebuilding trade barriers. U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer hopes to wrap up both investigations before the temporary tariffs expire in July. That timeline leaves room for countries to agree on fixes and avoid penalties altogether. As global energy prices climbed from the conflicts, these probes could reshape trade ties and add more pressure on everyone involved.