USTR Probes 60 Economies Over Forced-Labour Trade Under Section 301

KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 (Bernama) -- The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has initiated investigations into 60 economies under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974, in connection with a failure to act against forced labour practices in trade.

The 60 countries are among the United States' largest trading partners, including seven ASEAN countries, namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

“Despite the international consensus against forced labour, governments have failed to impose and effectively enforce measures banning goods produced with forced labour from entering their markets,” said USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer in a statement issued from Washington on Thursday (March 12).

“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 said.

Greer added that these investigations will determine whether foreign governments have taken sufficient steps to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labour and how the failure to eradicate these abhorrent practices impacts US workers and businesses, he said. 

According to the statement, Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 is designed to address unfair foreign practices affecting US commerce.

Section 301 may be used to respond to unjustifiable, unreasonable, or discriminatory foreign government practices that burden or restrict US commerce, it said.

Under Section 302(b) of the Trade Act, the USTR may self-initiate an investigation under Section 301.

An investigation under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act examines whether the acts, policies, or practices of a foreign country are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict US commerce.

After considering the advice of the inter-agency Section 301 Committee and consulting with appropriate advisory committees, the USTR has initiated these investigations. 

Upon initiation of an investigation, the USTR must seek consultations with the economies under investigation.

The USTR has requested consultations with the governments of the economies in connection with the investigations.

It will hold hearings in connection with these investigations on April 28, 2026.

To be assured of consideration, interested persons should submit written comments, requests to appear at the hearing, and a summary of the testimony by April 15, 2026, the UTSR said.

The main BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – are also subject to these investigations.

-- BERNAMA