A second trade investigation launched by the U.S. into alleged forced labour practices across 60 economies, including India and China, is expected to place particular scrutiny on Beijing amid allegations of forced labour in the Xinjiang region, think tank GTRI said on Sunday (March 15, 2026). India's exports of solar panels, electronics, and garments to the U.S. may also face closer scrutiny under this new U.S. investigation into forced labour in global supply chains, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said. On March 12, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) launched a Section 301 probe, covering 60 economies. The probe will examine whether countries allow goods produced with forced labour to enter global supply chains. He said that while India prohibits forced labour under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, it could still face investigations because many Indian export industries rely on imported intermediate inputs from China.

Source: The Hindu March 15, 2026 08:24 UTC