Trump’s administration launched a Section 301 probe targeting 59 countries and the EU, threatening tariffs unless they enact bans on imports made with forced labor. The move follows a Supreme Court ruling that struck down a blanket 10 % tariff, prompting a search for new leverage over trade partners. Industry leaders say the initiative could reshape global supply chains.

At Washington hearings, human‑rights officials praised the focus on forced labor but warned that tariffs could drain resources needed to police violations or hurt vulnerable workers. Critics noted that banning imports from Xinjiang, where cotton is harvested under coercion, risks missing violations in factories and fishing fleets. Trade experts question whether the policy is a pretext for broader tariff ambitions.

Companies such as footwear and technology firms urged narrowly targeted tariffs to avoid raising costs and provoking retaliation. The U.S. already bans most Xinjiang goods under a 2021 law and maintains a century‑old forced‑labor import ban, yet enforcement gaps persist. If the administration succeeds, it could compel trading partners to strengthen labor inspections, but it risks pushing imports into supply chains.