Seoul: U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer stated that his office is poised to release the "final responsive action" concerning trade investigations into 60 trading partners regarding forced labor issues, potentially as soon as Thursday. This announcement is highly anticipated by South Korea and other nations awaiting new U.S. tariffs.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Greer's announcement was contained in a written statement submitted to the Senate Committee on Finance. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is preparing to announce new tariffs resulting from investigations that USTR has been conducting since March under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act. These investigations, along with separate Section 301 probes into South Korea and 15 other economies, aim to uncover "unfair" trade practices associated with "structural" excess capacity and production. This action comes after the Supreme Court invalidated country-specific "reciprocal" tariffs in February.

Greer emphasized the United States' unique position in enforcing rules against international trade in forced goods and highlighted the culmination of years of effort to persuade trading partners to create a level playing field for American workers and businesses. His comments coincide with the impending expiration of the Trump administration's temporary 10-percent global tariff.

Greer defended the Trump administration's tariff strategy, citing a "national emergency" that justifies the continuation of levies. This policy draws on the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to uphold "reciprocal" tariffs, which the Supreme Court had previously invalidated. He asserted that while the specific authorities have changed, the trade strategy remains focused on reindustrializing the economy, protecting American workers, increasing wages, and reducing the trade deficit.

Recently, the USTR proposed a 12.5 percent tariff on South Korea and numerous other economies over allegations of failing to enforce import bans on goods made with forced labor. In response, the South Korean government urged the U.S. to reconsider the proposed tariff, describing it as "unwarranted" and "disproportionate" given the circumstances of Asia's fourth-largest economy.