US Government Launches Major Trade Investigation into Nigeria Over Forced Labour Concerns
The United States government has officially initiated a high-level trade investigation into Nigeria and 59 other nations.
The probe, announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on March 12, 2026, aims to determine if imported goods from these countries are produced using forced labour, creating an "unreasonable" burden on American commerce.
The investigation was launched under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
According to Jennifer Thornton, General Counsel of the USTR, the review will examine whether gaps in international policy or local enforcement allow exploitative labour practices to flourish.
“The Trade Representative is initiating investigations with respect to acts, policies, and practices... related to the failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour,” the USTR notice stated.
Nigeria joins a list of major global players including China, India, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union.
The USTR highlighted that forced labour gives producers an artificial cost advantage, distorting global markets.
According to ILO data, approximately 28 million people were trapped in forced labour in 2021, generating over $63 billion in illicit profits.
The probe covers critical supply chains, including agricultural commodities, minerals, and textiles.
Public hearings in Washington, D.C., are scheduled for late April 2026.
If the investigation finds Nigeria’s practices to be discriminatory, the U.S. may impose severe trade remedies, including additional tariffs or total import restrictions on Nigerian goods.
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