USTR Opens Section 301 Forced Labor Hearings Against 60 Economies in Push for New Tariff Authority

The Office of the United States Trade Representative opened two days of public hearings on April 28–29, 2026 at the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington, DC as part of its Section 301 investigations into 60 economies accused of failing to impose or enforce prohibitions on forced labor imports. Approximately 60 witnesses — representing US industry groups, human rights organizations, labor unions, and foreign governments — are testifying across the two days. The investigations are a central pillar of the Trump administration's strategy to rebuild tariff authority before the 150-day Section 122 universal 10% tariff window expires in July 2026, following the Supreme Court's February 2026 IEEPA ruling. Separately, Section 301 investigations are underway against the EU, China, and Mexico for structural trade practices. USTR Greer has said she expects initial findings from the forced labor investigations by late June 2026, potentially allowing new tariffs to be imposed before the Section 122 window closes.