India, China among 60 economies in US forced labour trade investigation; Full list

The United States has launched investigations into 60 economies, including India and China, over their alleged failure to prevent the import of goods produced with forced labour.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) said the probes have been initiated under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 to examine whether the policies or practices of these economies regarding goods produced with forced labour are “unreasonable or discriminatory” and burden or restrict US commerce.

The investigations cover several of the United States’ largest trading partners, including India, China, European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Brazil and Vietnam, among others.

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

“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 labour,” he added.

The USTR said it has requested consultations with the governments concerned and will hold public hearings on April 28 as part of the investigations.

Section 301 investigations allow the US to take action against foreign trade practices deemed unfair, including imposing tariffs or other restrictions.

The move comes as the administration seeks alternative ways to impose tariffs after the US Supreme Court last month ruled that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by imposing sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs without explicit congressional approval.

In a 6–3 decision, the court said Trump exceeded his authority when he moved ahead with "reciprocal" tariffs without clear authorisation from Congress.

A US trade court judge later directed the federal government to begin refunding billions of dollars in tariffs paid by importers.

The Trump administration has already imposed a 10% tariff on foreign-made goods under Section 122 of the Trade Act, a temporary measure that is set to expire on July 24.

Trump has said he plans to raise the tariff to 15%.

Greer indicated that additional Section 301 investigations could also be launched in areas such as digital services taxes, pharmaceutical pricing and ocean pollution.

1. Algeria
2. Angola
3. Argentina
4. Australia
5. The Bahamas
6. Bahrain
7. Bangladesh
8. Brazil
9. Cambodia
10. Canada
11. Chile
12. China, People’s Republic of
13. Colombia
14. Costa Rica
15. Dominican Republic
16. Ecuador
17. Egypt
18. El Salvador
19. European Union
20. Guatemala
21. Guyana
22. Honduras
23. Hong Kong, China
24. India
25. Indonesia
26. Iraq
27. Israel
28. Japan
29. Jordan
30. Kazakhstan
31. Kuwait
32. Libya
33. Malaysia
34. Mexico
35. Morocco
36. New Zealand
37. Nicaragua
38. Nigeria
39. Norway
40. Oman
41. Pakistan
42. Peru
43. Philippines
44. Qatar
45. Russia
46. Saudi Arabia
47. Singapore
48. South Africa
49. South Korea
50. Sri Lanka
51. Switzerland
52. Taiwan
53. Thailand
54. Trinidad and Tobago
55. Türkiye
56. United Arab Emirates
57. United Kingdom
58. Uruguay
59. Venezuela
60. Vietnam