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USTR Launches Section 301 Investigations Into Forced Labor in 60 Economies

Trade Update • March 17, 2026

Key Points

  • USTR initiated Section 301(b) investigations into 60 trading partners for failing to enforce bans on goods produced with forced labor.
  • The probe covers major economies including China, Canada, the European Union, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.
  • Consultations with affected governments have started; a public hearing is set for April 28, 2026, with comments due by April 15.
  • Investigations will determine if foreign acts or policies are unreasonable, discriminatory, or burden U.S. commerce.
Gavel on a desk with a blurred U.S. flag, symbolizing U.S. trade investigations into global forced labor practices.

O​​​​​​​​​​​​​​n March 12, 2026, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) launched Section 301 investigations into 60 economies to assess whether governments have failed to ban imports made with forced labor. The action addresses concerns that inadequate enforcement gives foreign producers an artificial cost advantage, affecting U.S. workers and businesses. USTR will conduct consultations with the governments involved, hold a public hearing on April 28, and accept written comments and testimony requests by April 15. The investigation spans advanced and emerging markets across all regions and may lead to trade remedies if practices are found to burden U.S. commerce.

60 Economies Under Investigation

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has initiated Section 301(b) investigations into 60 economies to determine whether failures to ban or enforce prohibitions on goods produced with forced labor are unreasonable, discriminatory, or burden U.S. commerce. The economies under review are:

Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China (People’s Republic of), Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, European Union, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Vietnam.

Official Statement

“Despite the international consensus against forced labor, governments have failed to impose and effectively enforce measures banning goods produced with forced labor from entering their markets. 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.”
Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative

Investigation Process

  • Consultations: USTR will formally consult with each government under investigation.
  • Public Hearing: Scheduled for April 28, 2026, to allow stakeholders to provide testimony.
  • Public Comments: Written submissions must be received by April 15, 2026.
  • Evaluation: USTR will review practices to determine if they are unreasonable, discriminatory, or burden U.S. commerce.
  • Trade Remedies: If violations are confirmed, USTR may implement actions under Section 301 to address the impact on U.S. businesses.

You may access the pre-publication version of the Federal Register notice through the USTR website.

Dockets for submitting comments on the investigation and for requesting participation in the public hearing are available via the USTR comments portal.

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