=        
WASHINGTON, United States, March 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United States launched trade investigations Thursday into 60 economies including China, the EU and Japan, fueling the possibility of further tariffs after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump's global duties. 

Theset of probes, initiated by the US Trade Representative (USTR) office, will look into "failures to take action on forced labor" and whether these burden or restrict US commerce.

The tranche of investigations came a day after US trade envoy Jamieson Greer launched a probe centered on excess industrial capacity, targeting 16 trading partners.

Both processes will likely take months, but could justify new tariffs after Trump's legal setback in February.

Thursday's investigations will consider policies and practices "related to the failure to impose and effectively enforce a ban on the importation of goods produced with forced labor," the USTR notice said.

Those subject to the probes constitute 60 of the largest US trading partners.

"For too long, American workers and firms have been forced to compete against foreign producers who may have an artificial cost advantage gained from the scourge of forced labor," Greer said in a statement.

Among those subject to Thursday's investigations are also Argentina, Australia, Brazil, India and Mexico.

While Trump swiftly imposed a new 10-percent tariff on imports after the high court struck down many of his duties, these are temporary.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is working towards rolling out more lasting duties.