USTR Takes Action in Forced Labor Section 301 Investigations - USTR
WASHINGTON – Today, (7/23/26) Ambassador Jamieson Greer is taking final action, at President Trump’s direction, under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 by imposing tariffs on 60 economies for their failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor. Today’s action comes after the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) investigations, which included two rounds of public hearings, more than 2,100 public comments, and engagement with our trading partners to remedy these longstanding concerns.
“President Trump recognizes that decades of moral suasion have not eradicated forced labor from global supply chains. The United States has had a forced labor import ban for nearly a century, and rigorously enforces it; it’s well past time for our trading partners to do the same,” said Ambassador Greer. “Today’s action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and distortive trade practice to improve the welfare of workers everywhere. I am encouraged by the trading partners who have moved quickly to adopt forced labor import prohibitions, and look forward to ensuring their effective enforcement.”
To view the pre-publication version of the Federal Register Notice, click here.
To read USTR’s Fact Sheet, click here.
Background
Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (Trade Act), is designed to address unfair foreign practices affecting U.S. commerce. Section 301 may be used to respond to unjustifiable, unreasonable, or discriminatory foreign government acts, policies, or practices that burden or restrict U.S. commerce. A Section 301(b) investigation examines whether the acts, policies, or practices are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce.
At the specific direction of the President, on March 12, 2026, the U.S. Trade Representative initiated 60 investigations related to the failure of various economies to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor. On April 28 and April 29, 2026, USTR and the Section 301 Committee convened public hearings regarding these investigations. Pursuant to Section 303(a) of the Trade Act, USTR also held consultations with more than 45 of the governments of the economies subject to the investigations.
On June 2, 2026, the U.S. Trade Representative determined under Section 301 of the Trade Act that the acts, policies, and practices of the 60 investigated economies related to the failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor is unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce, and are thus actionable under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act. As a result of this determination, the U.S. Trade Representative proposed responsive action and invited the public to provide written comments on the proposed action by July 6, 2026. USTR received, reviewed, and analyzed over 1,600 written comments on the proposed responsive action. From July 7 to July 9, USTR also held public hearings regarding proposed responsive action in the investigations, at which over 100 witnesses provided testimony and responded to questions.
Consistent with the specific direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative has made the following determinations:
• 10 percent is the appropriate rate of Section 301 duties for investigated economies that (i) impose a forced labor import prohibition; (ii) have committed to impose and enforce such a prohibition through an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade; or (iii) have imposed a partial regime with the effect of preventing the importation of certain forced labor goods. These economies are: Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom;
• 10 percent or 12.5 percent, net of Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate is the appropriate rate of Section 301 duties for certain products of the European Union, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Switzerland that are not otherwise exempted, as explained in greater detail in the Federal Register Notice; and
• 12.5 percent is the appropriate rate of Section 301 duty for all other investigated economies.
The U.S. Trade Representative has also determined, in accordance with the specific direction of the President, that product exemptions are appropriate for: (a) raw materials that if subject to these tariffs could lead to the unavailability of domestic supply; (b) products that could cause economy-wide disruptions if subject to these tariffs; (c) products that cannot be grown or produced in sufficient quantities or at reasonable prices in the United States or obtained from other sources; (d) certain products of Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ecuador, El Salvador, the European Union, Guatemala, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Switzerland, Taiwan, or the United Kingdom that would encourage these economies to fulfill commitments regarding forced labor import prohibitions or to enact and effectively enforce a forced labor import prohibition; or (e) articles for which these tariffs may not contribute substantially to the elimination of the acts, policies, and practices of found to be actionable in the investigations.
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Ambassador Greer Signs the U.S.-Jordan Agreement on Reciprocal Trade - USTR
WASHINGTON – Today (7/21/26), Ambassador Greer joined Jordan’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply Yarub Qudah in signing the United States–Jordan Agreement on Reciprocal Trade.
“President Trump is deepening our economic and strategic partnerships in the Middle East, reaching deals to unlock new opportunities for American exporters,” said Ambassador Greer. “Today’s signing secures substantial purchases of U.S. goods and eliminates barriers facing American workers and manufacturers. I thank my counterparts from Jordan for their commitment to achieving fair, balanced, and reciprocal trade with the United States, particularly as we face common threats in the region.”
To read the text of the United States-Jordan Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, click here. To read the tariff schedule, click here.
To read the Fact Sheet, click here.
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OTEXA Announcements - ITA
[7/14/2026] – Determination to Approve CAFTA-DR Commercial Availability Request for Certain Double Weave Polyester/Spandex Fabric. File Number: CA2026002
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Federal Register Notices:
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From Thailand: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet From the Sultanate of Oman: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Certain Choline Salts From the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Welded Stainless Steel Line and Pressure Pipe From India, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates; Institution of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations and Scheduling of Preliminary Phase Investigations
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Hardwood and Decorative Plywood From the People's Republic of China: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Final Affirmative Critical Circumstances Determination
• Hardwood and Decorative Plywood From the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Final Affirmative Critical Circumstances Determination, in Part
• Hardwood and Decorative Plywood From Indonesia: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination
• Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-to-Length Plate From France: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Sales at Less Than Fair Value; Determinations, Investigations, etc.: Hardwood and Decorative Plywood From Indonesia: Final Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value
• Hardwood and Decorative Plywood From the People's Republic of China: Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Final Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances
• Hardwood and Decorative Plywood from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Final Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Final Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Alkyl Phosphate Esters From the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry on the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders
• Lattice Boom Crawler Cranes From Japan: Antidumping Duty Order
• L-Lysine From the People's Republic of China: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination
• Certain Fatty Acids From Malaysia: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination
• Certain Alkyl Phosphate Esters From the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Scope Inquiry and Deferral of Circumvention Inquiry of the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders
• Certain Fatty Acids From Indonesia: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination, and Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Mattresses From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order
• Certain Pasta From Italy: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2023
• Phosphate Fertilizers From the Kingdom of Morocco: Preliminary Results of First Full Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order
• Certain Crepe Paper Products From the People's Republic of China: Continuation of Antidumping Duty Order
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In the News:
• Trump to impose 50% tariffs on Canadian hockey sticks, milk, alcohol and other goods [CBS News]
• White House teases new trade action ‘soon’ as it works to re-create global tariff regime [CNBC]
• Vietnam Reaffirms Trade Talks, Urges US to Conclude Trade Investigation [U.S. News]
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CBP to Host Global Entry Enrollment Events Across South Florida - U.S. Customs & Border Protection
MIAMI — U.S. Customs and Border Protection will host a series of Global Entry enrollment events across South Florida in July and August, providing conditionally approved applicants with additional opportunities to complete their in-person interviews closer to their communities.
The temporary enrollment events are designed to make the Global Entry interview process more convenient while helping travelers enroll in CBP’s Trusted Traveler Program. Global Entry allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers expedited clearance upon arrival in the United States. Members also receive TSA PreCheck® eligibility as part of their membership.
The enrollment events will be held at the following locations:
• July 23: Deerfield Beach Percy White Branch Library, 837 E. Hillsboro Blvd., noon to 6:40 p.m.
• July 28: Pompano Beach Library and Cultural Center, 50 W. Atlantic Blvd., 10:20 a.m. to 6:40 p.m.
• July 29: Hollywood Branch Library, 2600 Hollywood Blvd., 10:20 a.m. to 6:40 p.m.
• Aug. 4: Hallandale Beach Library, 300 S. Federal Highway, noon to 6:40 p.m.
• Aug. 8-9: Fort Lauderdale Enrollment Center, 1800 Eller Drive, Main Lobby, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Global Entry is one of the best ways for trusted travelers to save time when returning to the United States,” said Daniel Alonso, director of field operations for CBP’s Miami and Tampa Field Office. “By bringing enrollment opportunities directly into our communities, we’re making it easier for eligible travelers to complete the interview process while enhancing both security and the travel experience.”
Appointments are available only for travelers who have already received conditional approval through the Trusted Traveler Programs application process. Travelers interested in applying for Global Entry should first apply online through the Trusted Traveler Programs website. Once conditionally approved, applicants may schedule an interview at one of these special enrollment events, subject to availability.
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$28 Million in Counterfeit Watches Seized by Louisville CBP - U.S. Customs & Border Protection
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — At the Port of Louisville, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized a shipment on July 9 containing 200 counterfeit watches. Had these watches been genuine, the shipment would have had a combined manufacturer’s suggested retail price of over $28 million.
The shipment from Hong Kong was headed for Illinois when officers pulled the parcel for inspection. The examination revealed 200 watches bearing suspected Audemars Piguet trademarks. The items were deemed to be inauthentic by CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise, the agency’s trade experts, and were seized for bearing counterfeit versions of registered and recorded trademarks.
“Counterfeit goods are poor quality products costing U.S. businesses billions of dollars a year while robbing our country of jobs and tax revenues,” said Louisville’s Port Director, Philip Onken. “Officers are trained to identify illicit shipments and work diligently for American consumers by stopping the flow of unlawful trade.”
Just two weeks ago, Louisville officers seized a shipment containing 375 counterfeit Audemars Piguet watches with a MSRP exceeding $54 million.
Illegitimate sales are some of the most profitable transnational crimes. Counterfeiters sell inauthentic versions of popular products in response to trends, often through online sources, which adversely impacts legitimate U.S. businesses. These items, including fake medications, perfumes, and cosmetics, children’s toys and costumes, fashion, jewelry, and luxury products, and unsafe electronics and automative parts, can pose serious health and safety risks to American consumers as they are often made with substandard or harmful materials.
CBP reminds consumers to shop from reputable online sources. E-Commerce sales have contributed to large volumes of low-value, small packages being imported into the U.S. Many counterfeit seizures occur in the international mail and express environments, which are channels through which small, e-commerce packages destined for the U.S. travel. Many of these shipments contain counterfeit goods that pose the same health, safety, and economic security risks as large, containerized shipments.
CBP protects the intellectual property rights of American businesses through an aggressive Intellectual Property Rights enforcement program, safeguarding them from unfair competition and use for malicious intent while upholding American innovation and ingenuity. Suspected violations can be reported to CBP by visiting the Trade Violations Reporting site.
Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Florida stop illegal To learn more about what CBP is doing every day to protect Americans from counterfeit goods, and more about the Truth Behind Counterfeits public awareness campaign, please visit: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/fakegoodsrealdangers.