The United States has launched a formal trade investigation into South Africa and 59 other countries, raising the possibility of tariffs or penalties if Washington determines that their policies harm American commerce.

The probe was initiated by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974, a mechanism Washington uses to challenge foreign trade practices it considers unfair.

The investigation is part of a broader effort by the US government to address what it describes as structural disadvantages faced by American companies competing with cheaper imports.

Focus on forced labour and trade practices

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said a central focus of the investigation will be whether countries allow goods produced with forced labour to enter their markets.

“Despite the international consensus against forced labour, governments have failed to impose and effectively enforce measures banning goods produced with forced labour from entering their markets,” Greer said.

He added that American companies should not be forced to compete with foreign producers that gain an artificial cost advantage through exploitative labour practices.

The investigation will assess whether the trade policies or enforcement systems of the targeted countries are “unjustifiable, unreasonable or discriminatory” and whether they burden US commerce.

Section 301 powers could lead to tariffs

Section 301 of the US Trade Act gives Washington authority to investigate and respond to foreign trade practices.

If US officials conclude that unfair practices exist and consultations fail to resolve the dispute, the US government can impose tariffs, fees or other trade restrictions.

Greer said the US aims to move quickly.

“If we find that countries have been engaging in unfair trading practices like subsidies, excess capacity or allowing goods made with forced labour into their countries, we can quantify that harm to US commerce and then try to resolve that issue,” he said.

Formal consultations have already been requested with the governments under investigation.

Public hearings related to the probe are scheduled to take place on April 28, 2026.

South Africa caught in wider trade tensions

Although South Africa is not the sole focus of the investigation, the move adds pressure to already strained relations between Washington and Pretoria.

The Trump administration has adopted an increasingly confrontational approach toward South Africa since returning to the White House in January 2025.

South Africa faced one of the most aggressive tariff structures during the administration’s “reciprocal tariff” programme and the United States also boycotted the G20 summit hosted by South Africa in November 2025.

There have also been attempts by US lawmakers to remove South Africa from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a trade programme that provides preferential access to US markets for eligible African countries.

AGOA was renewed earlier this year and currently runs until December 31, 2026, although the list of eligible countries can still be revised.

Political disputes complicate trade negotiations

Efforts by South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to negotiate improved trade relations with the United States have so far struggled to gain traction.

Speaking at the BizNews Conference, US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell said Washington had presented Pretoria with five requests intended to improve bilateral relations.

These issues included farm murders and rural crime, the “kill the boer” chant, land expropriation policies, Black Economic Empowerment rules and South Africa’s foreign policy alignments.

“We put together five asks and we’ve been waiting almost a year for a response,” Bozell said.

“We’re running out of patience.”

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation later issued a formal diplomatic démarche to Bozell in response to his remarks.

What happens next

The Section 301 investigation will now move into consultations with affected countries.

If those discussions fail to resolve US concerns, Washington could introduce new tariffs or other trade measures within months.

For South Africa, the investigation adds another layer of uncertainty to a relationship already strained by political disputes and shifting global trade alliances.

Additional reporting sourced from BusinessTech. The Granite Post has independently verified key details.