The United States has launched a fresh investigation into global trade practices related to forced labour, placing India among 60 economies that are now under review. The probe will examine whether these countries have taken adequate steps to stop the import of goods that are produced using forced labour. The US government has included several major economies in the investigation, indicating that the move is part of a wider effort to examine global trade systems and their impact on American businesses.

The announcement was made by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who said the investigation aims to understand whether governments around the world have enforced restrictions on products made through forced labour. Greer stated that although there is global agreement that forced labour should not be allowed, many governments have not implemented strict measures or properly enforced bans on such goods entering their markets. He explained that the United States wants to determine whether the absence of these restrictions has created disadvantages for businesses operating in the US.

India is one of the countries included in the investigation, along with several others such as Pakistan, China, Russia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Venezuela and Cambodia. Apart from these nations, the US has also listed many other economies as part of the probe. The full list includes Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, The Bahamas, Cambodia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, the European Union, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, 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.

The investigation will be conducted under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974. This law allows the United States to examine trade practices of other countries if those practices could negatively affect American commerce. Under this process, US authorities will evaluate whether these economies have implemented measures to block goods made with forced labour and how the lack of such actions may have affected US businesses. As part of the investigation, Greer said that the department will also organise hearings in April to gather more information and opinions related to the issue.

This new development came just a day after Greer announced another investigation targeting 16 economies over their manufacturing practices. That earlier probe was launched to determine whether certain manufacturing policies in those countries create conditions that restrict or burden US commerce. India was also included among those economies being examined in the earlier investigation.

The latest investigations also come at a time when trade tensions in the United States have increased following a court ruling related to tariffs. Recently, the US Supreme Court struck down tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on several countries. After the Supreme Court's ruling, Trump introduced a new global tariff of 10 per cent using Section 122 of the Trade Act. These replacement tariffs are temporary and are expected to remain in place until July.

While speaking to US House Republicans earlier this week, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court’s decision but suggested that his administration still has other options to pursue similar trade policies. He indicated that even though the ruling created a challenge, the government would continue exploring different ways to implement its trade strategy.

According to reports, Greer hopes to complete the Section 301 investigations and decide on possible actions before the temporary tariffs introduced by Trump expire. The findings of the probe could influence future trade decisions and may lead to new measures if the US government determines that certain countries have not taken sufficient action to prevent the import of goods produced through forced labour.