Pakistan Among 60 Economies Facing US Trade Investigation
KARACHI: The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has launched investigations into alleged unfair trade practices in 60 economies, including Pakistan, according to a statement issued on Thursday.
The probe will examine whether governments have failed to implement and enforce bans on the import of goods produced through forced labour. The investigation covers several major US trading partners, including the European Union, China, Japan, India, Mexico, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Vietnam and Pakistan.
The development comes a month after Pakistan and the United States expressed interest in expanding economic cooperation during a meeting in Washington between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and US Commerce Secretary Howard A. Lutnick.
Analysts warn the investigation could lead to penalties, including new tariffs, as former US president Donald Trump seeks to introduce alternative trade duties after previous tariffs were struck down by the Supreme Court.
Economists note that Pakistan could face significant challenges if further tariffs are imposed, as the United States remains the country’s largest export market.
USTR Jamieson Lee Greer said that despite global consensus against forced labour, many governments have failed to effectively block such goods from entering their markets, placing American workers and businesses at a disadvantage against producers benefiting from lower costs.
