Trump Administration Launches Massive Forced Labor Investigation into 60 Countries to Bypass Tariff Restrictions

The Trump administration launched a trade investigation into forced labor practices across 60 countries, including major allies such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada, according to multiple reports published on March 13, 2026. The probe marks the second such US trade probe targeting these regions over forced labor, signaling a significant escalation in the administration's use of trade policy. Analysts and observers widely interpreted the move as a strategic maneuver to reintroduce tariffs through an alternative legal pathway. The investigation covers a broad range of countries, spanning both adversaries and close economic partners of the United States.

The investigation is seen as a response to a recent Supreme Court decision that limited the administration's ability to impose sweeping tariffs directly, according to reporting by The Independent and Le Monde. By framing the initiative as a human rights and labor standards investigation, the administration seeks a legal route to reimpose trade measures that were previously blocked by the court. The Independent described the probe as a "roundabout way" to restart tariffs. Le Monde reported that the move represents one of several maneuvers by the Trump administration to circumvent the court's ruling on tariff powers.

The use of forced labor as a basis for trade action has precedent in US law, most notably through statutes that allow the government to restrict imports of goods produced with forced or prison labor. The Trump administration previously launched a similar trade probe targeting overlapping regions, making the latest investigation the second of its kind directed at the EU, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The administration's broader trade strategy during its current term has involved repeated use of executive trade authorities to apply economic pressure on both rivals and allies.

The inclusion of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada — all longstanding US trade partners and allies — drew particular attention, as reported by the BBC and Adnkronos. These economies are among the largest trading partners of the United States, and any tariffs resulting from the investigation would carry significant economic consequences on both sides. Business Insider noted that the probe could lead to new tariffs if the investigation concludes that forced labor practices warrant trade action. The administration has not publicly specified which goods or sectors within the 60 targeted countries are under scrutiny, and no confirmed timeline for the conclusion of the investigation was available from the source articles. 60 (countries) — number of countries targeted by the forced labor investigation