USTR Opens Public Hearings on Forced Labor Section 301 Cases
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will hold public hearings on April 28–29, 2026, to examine Section 301 investigations into 60 economies' failure to enforce prohibitions on forced-labor imports. The hearings, held at the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington, DC, will be on the record, with transcripts published afterward. This investigation could lead to tariffs or other trade remedies against non-compliant countries.
Photo: Andrew Durkin / Pexels# USTR Opens Public Hearings on Forced Labor Section 301 Cases
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced public hearings scheduled for April 28 and April 29, 2026, to examine Section 301 investigations into 60 economies' acts, policies, and practices. According to the USTR press release dated April 24, 2026, these investigations focus on "the failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor."
Key Details
The hearings will take place in the main hearing room of the U.S. International Trade Commission, located at 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC, beginning at 10:00 am ET each day. The proceedings will be on the record, and a full transcript will be posted on ustr.gov following the hearings. External cameras and video recording are prohibited in the hearing room, and the hearings will not be livestreamed.
Who Is Affected
The investigations span 60 economies, meaning companies importing from a broad range of countries may face scrutiny regarding supply-chain labor practices. Importers, freight forwarders, and exporters sourcing from these nations should monitor developments closely, as Section 301 investigations can result in additional tariffs, increased duties, or trade restrictions on affected merchandise.
Section 301 Authority and Outcomes
Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 grants the USTR authority to investigate unfair trade practices and, if warranted, to impose countermeasures. Findings that countries are failing to enforce forced-labor prohibitions could trigger retaliatory tariffs on goods from those nations, potentially raising landed costs for importers.
"The hearings are on the record but no external cameras or video recording will be allowed in the hearing room. The hearings will not be livestreamed. A full transcript of the hearings will be posted on ustr.gov after the hearings." — USTR, April 24, 2026
Interested parties—including importers, trade associations, and logistics providers—should consult the USTR website for the detailed hearing schedule and consider submitting written testimony or attending to understand how their supply chains may be affected.
What this means for shippers
Forced-labor compliance is increasingly a trade enforcement priority. Shippers should review their supply chains to ensure they understand the forced-labor risk profile of their suppliers and the countries from which they source. Tariffs imposed under Section 301 directly affect landed cost, so monitoring this investigation and understanding the final determination will be critical for cost forecasting and sourcing strategy.
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