The United States government has opened a trade investigation into Nigeria and 59 other economies over allegations that they have failed to block the importation of goods produced with forced labour.

In a notice released by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), Washington said the probe was initiated under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to determine whether the trade practices of the affected economies are unfair and harmful to American commerce.

The notice, signed by the USTR’s General Counsel Jennifer Thornton, said the investigation began on March 12, 2026 and will assess whether governments have introduced and effectively enforced bans on goods produced with forced labour.

“The Trade Representative is initiating investigations with respect to acts, policies and practices of the economies listed in Annex A of this notice related to the failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour,” the document stated.

Nigeria among 60 economies under review

Nigeria is listed among 60 economies included in the investigation, alongside countries such as China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Canada, the United Kingdom and members of the European Union.

According to the USTR, the probe aims to determine whether the absence of strict import restrictions on forced labour goods allows companies to benefit from exploitative supply chains and gain unfair pricing advantages in global markets.

US officials say American law has prohibited the importation of goods produced with forced labour for nearly a century.

The agency noted that products made under such conditions can often re-enter global markets after being blocked from entering the United States, allowing them to compete with goods produced under fair labour standards.

“In markets without forced labour import prohibitions, US exports are required to compete with products produced wholly or in part with forced labour,” the notice said.

Forced labour remains widespread globally

Global estimates suggest forced labour remains a significant issue in international supply chains.

According to the International Labour Organisation, about 28 million people were trapped in forced labour worldwide as of 2021, representing roughly 3.5 out of every 1,000 people globally.

The figure increased by about 2.7 million people between 2016 and 2021, largely driven by exploitation in the private sector.

The ILO also estimates that forced labour generates around $63.9 billion annually in profits in the global private economy.

Products commonly linked to forced labour include agricultural commodities, textiles, fish products, minerals and palm oil derivatives used in food and biofuel production.

Hearings scheduled in Washington

As part of the investigation, the USTR said it will consult with the governments of the economies under review and gather submissions from businesses, labour organisations and other stakeholders.

Public hearings on the investigation are scheduled to begin April 28, 2026, at the US International Trade Commission in Washington, DC, and may continue until May 1.

Interested stakeholders have until April 15 to submit written comments through the agency’s electronic portal.

Following the hearings and consultations, the Trade Representative will decide whether the practices of the economies under investigation violate US trade rules under Section 301.

If the investigation confirms unfair trade practices, the United States could impose trade remedies such as tariffs or import restrictions on goods from the affected economies.