United States Investigates 60 Countries Over Forced Labour, Indonesia Included

JAKARTA — The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has launched an investigation against 60 countries worldwide, including Indonesia, over alleged failures to take action against forced labour practices in trade supply chains.

This investigation is being conducted under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974, according to a press statement dated 12 March 2026.

The USTR explained that the investigation targets foreign governments’ failure to implement and enforce prohibitions against goods produced through forced labour.

“Despite international consensus against forced labour, governments have failed to enforce and implement measures prohibiting goods produced through forced labour from entering their markets,” said US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Greer added that this situation forces American workers and companies to compete with foreign producers who possess “artificial cost advantages” resulting from forced labour practices.

According to the USTR, the investigation covers 60 economies that are the United States’ largest trading partners. The list includes Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam, among others.

As part of the Section 301 procedure, the USTR will conduct consultations with governments of the economies under investigation. The agency has also scheduled a public hearing regarding this investigation for 28 April 2026.

The USTR explained that Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 is used to address foreign trade practices deemed unfair and impacting US trade. This provision allows the US government to take action against foreign government practices that are “unjustifiable, unreasonable, or discriminatory” and that burden or restrict US trade.