MANILA — The Philippine government said that it will monitor and cooperate with the United States’ investigation into the country’s alleged failure to ban imports produced through forced labor.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the probe follows the launch by the US Trade Representative (USTR) under Section 301(b) of the US Trade Act of 1974, which seeks to determine whether the Philippines and other trading partners have effectively banned goods produced using forced labor.

“We will closely monitor and actively participate in the investigation to address the concerns of the United States,” Castro said, citing Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque.

The USTR’s review covers the Philippines and 59 other countries, including Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, as well as Southeast Asian nations such as Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

The US aims to assess whether the policies or practices of the countries under review fail to enforce prohibitions on imports produced with forced labor, potentially giving companies using such labor an “artificial cost advantage” that affects American businesses.

Under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, the USTR can implement measures such as tariffs, import restrictions, or binding agreements to address unfair trade practices. The agency has requested official consultations with the governments under review.