On March 12, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) initiated Section 301 investigations into 60 of the largest US trading partners, focusing on each country’s failure to prohibit and effectively enforce a ban on goods produced with forced labor. The 60 economies under investigation collectively represent more than 99% of US imports in 2024.
This action is separate from — but closely related to — the Section 301 investigations into structural manufacturing overcapacity announced the day prior on March 11.
What the Investigations Cover
US law has prohibited the importation of goods made with forced labor for nearly 100 years. The focus of these investigations is not whether forced labor exists in a given country, but whether the governments of these 60 economies have adopted and are effectively enforcing their own bans on importing goods produced with forced labor.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), approximately 28 million people globally were in forced labor as of 2021 — an increase of 2.7 million since 2016. USTR has cited the resulting artificial cost advantage as a direct burden on US workers and businesses.
The 60 economies subject to investigation include major US trading partners across every region, among them: China, Canada, Mexico, the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Thailand.
USTR Requesting Comments
USTR has requested formal consultations with all 60 governments. A public hearing is scheduled for April 28, 2026. Importers, trade associations, and other interested parties may submit written comments or request to appear at the hearing. The deadline to submit comments or hearing requests is April 15, 2026. Comments may be submitted through the USTR docket portal at comments.ustr.gov.
No tariffs have been imposed at this stage. These are investigations, not determinations. However, if USTR finds that the practices of any of these economies burden US commerce, tariff actions under Section 301 may follow — potentially affecting a wide range of imported goods.
Mohawk Global Trade Advisors can assist importers in reviewing their supply chain exposure, assessing forced labor risk in their sourcing, and preparing compliance documentation. Reach out today.