USTR Proposes New Section 301 Tariffs Tied To Forced Labor Enforcement

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a Notice of Determinations and Request for Comments in its Section 301 investigations concerning various economies’ alleged failure to impose and effectively enforce prohibitions on imports of goods produced with forced labor. Although ostensibly about forced labor enforcement, the new duties are in reality a replacement for the Section 122 duties that will expire in July.

USTR determined that all 60 investigated economies are engaging in actionable conduct under Section 301. As proposed actions, USTR is recommending imposing additional duties on products from the investigated economies, subject to exclusions in Annex A. The Annex excludes a variety of articles from the proposed action, including certain agricultural products, raw materials, critical inputs, and other products.