US Launches Trade Probe into Nigeria, 59 Others Over Forced Labor Imports

The United States, through its United States===United States Trade Representative, has launched a formal trade investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 into Nigeria and 59 other economies. The probe, initiated on March 12, 2026, aims to determine if these economies' failure to enforce bans on goods produced with forced labor constitutes unreasonable or discriminatory trade practices that harm American commerce. The United States argues that such practices create unfair cost advantages for producers, distorting international markets and disadvantaging American businesses. The International Labour Organization estimates 28 million people are trapped in forced labor globally, generating $63.9 billion in annual profits. The investigation will involve consultations, public hearings, and stakeholder submissions, with potential outcomes including additional duties or import restrictions on affected countries. Nigeria, already facing a sharp decline in its merchandise trade surplus, is among the key economies under scrutiny, alongside China, India, Brazil, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union.