Following a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated previous global duties, the Trump administration has initiated unfair trade practice investigations into 60 economies, including China and the EU, citing forced labor concerns as a new legal basis for trade restrictions.

New Investigations Launched

The U.S. government is investigating 60 economies over alleged forced labor practices to establish a new legal framework for tariffs.

Supreme Court Setback

A February 2026 ruling struck down previous global duties as illegal, forcing the U.S. to begin refunding approximately $166 billion.

International Backlash

China has condemned the move, and India has reportedly paused trade deal negotiations with the United States.

Refund Infrastructure

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is developing an online portal to process billions in duty refunds, expected to be ready by mid-April.

The United States government has launched unfair trade practices investigations into 60 economies, including the European Union, China, and India, over alleged forced labor practices. The probe, initiated by the administration of President Donald John Trump, targets major trading partners such as the United Kingdom and Canada alongside various emerging markets. This move follows the implementation of a temporary 10% global import tariff designed to maintain economic pressure while the new investigations proceed. Officials state the inquiries are necessary to address human rights concerns and ensure fair competition in the global market. However, the broad scope of the inquiry has drawn immediate international scrutiny from both allies and adversaries who view the move as a protectionist measure. The administration is utilizing these probes to potentially justify new duties under different legal frameworks following recent judicial setbacks.

The new investigations are widely regarded as a strategic maneuver to bypass a February 20, 2026, Supreme Court ruling that declared previous global tariffs illegal. The court found that President Donald John Trump exceeded his authority by collecting duties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. As a result of the ruling, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is now tasked with returning billions of dollars to importers. Brandon Lord, a senior official at the customs agency, reported that the automated system required to process these refunds is currently between 40% and 80% complete. The total amount of illegal tariff collections slated for refund is estimated at approximately $166 billion.

Global reaction to the announcement has been swift, with India deciding to hold off on a planned trade deal with the United States. Sources indicate that New Delhi is reassessing its position following the inclusion of India in the forced labor probe. Meanwhile, China has criticized the investigation as a maneuver to rebuild tariff pressure ahead of scheduled diplomatic talks in Paris. European and Canadian officials have also expressed concern over the targeting of traditional allies in a probe of this magnitude. The administration's approach has created significant uncertainty in international shipping and trade planning as businesses await the outcome of the 60 separate investigations. „The system for tariff refunds is between 40% and 80% complete” — Brandon Lord via Reuters The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 has been a primary tool for U.S. presidents to impose sanctions and trade restrictions. While historically used for targeted security threats, the Trump administration expanded its application to justify broad global tariffs on national security grounds. The February 2026 Supreme Court decision represents a significant judicial check on executive power regarding trade policy. Previous major trade disputes involving forced labor often focused on specific regions, such as Xinjiang, rather than 60 diverse economies simultaneously. US Trade and Tariff Developments 2026: — ; — ; — ; —