The United States has launched a major trade investigation covering 60 economies, including India, to examine whether governments have taken adequate steps to block imports of goods produced using forced labour.
The probe was announced by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) and is aimed at assessing global trade practices related to labour rights. The investigation will determine whether countries have implemented and enforced measures to prevent forced-labour goods from entering their markets and how any failure to do so affects American businesses.
“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," US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said.
The US investigation includes a wide range of trading partners across different regions of the world.
Apart from India, the list includes countries such as China, Pakistan, Russia, Bangladesh, Thailand, Venezuela, and Cambodia, among others.
Major global economies including the European Union, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates are also part of the review.
The investigation reflects Washington’s growing focus on labour rights and ethical sourcing in global supply chains.
The probe is being conducted under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974, a US law that allows authorities to investigate and respond to foreign trade practices that may harm American commerce.
If the investigation finds evidence of unfair practices, the United States may impose trade restrictions, tariffs, or other retaliatory measures against imports from the countries involved.
Through the investigation, US officials aim to determine whether governments have enacted laws to stop the import of goods made with forced labour and whether a lack of such measures has negatively affected US businesses.
Public hearings linked to the probe are expected to be held in April, according to the US Trade Representative.
The announcement came shortly after the US government launched another investigation targeting 16 economies over their manufacturing practices to determine whether they “burden or restrict” US commerce.
That earlier probe also included India among the economies being examined.
Together, these investigations highlight Washington’s increasingly assertive approach to enforcing trade rules and protecting domestic industries.
The new investigations come in the wake of a major legal setback for the administration of Donald Trump.
The US Supreme Court recently struck down several tariffs imposed by Trump on multiple countries, ruling that they exceeded presidential authority.
Following the ruling, the Trump administration introduced a 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act, which will remain in effect temporarily and is scheduled to expire in July.
“We had a little disappointing decision to put it mildly from the Supreme Court,” the president told US House Republicans during a speech on Monday. “The good news is I have lots of other ways of doing the same thing. I just have to work a little harder.”
According to reports, US officials hope to complete the Section 301 investigations before the temporary tariffs expire, potentially paving the way for new trade measures.
If the investigation finds that countries failed to prevent forced-labour goods from entering their markets, the US government could impose new tariffs or trade restrictions.
Such actions could escalate trade tensions with several major economies and trigger negotiations over labour standards and trade practices.
The investigation also reflects a broader trend in international trade policy where governments are placing greater emphasis on human rights, labour standards, and ethical sourcing in global supply chains.
The United States’ decision to launch a forced-labour trade investigation into 60 economies, including India, marks a significant development in global trade policy. Conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, the probe aims to determine whether countries have taken sufficient action to prevent the import of goods produced through forced labour.
The move comes amid renewed efforts by the Trump administration to strengthen trade enforcement after legal challenges weakened earlier tariff measures. With hearings expected in April and potential trade remedies under consideration, the outcome of the investigation could influence international trade relations and labour standards across global supply chains in the months ahead.