The Trump administration announced on Wednesday that it will launch new trade investigations into China, Mexico, the European Union, and more than a dozen other countries. The move aims to replace the reciprocal tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, which were recently ruled illegal by the U.S. Supreme Court. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that the probes will be conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, allowing the government to impose tariffs on foreign goods tied to unfair trade practices.
This section may expand to additional countries in the near future. According to Greer, the probes will examine acts, policies, and practices related to structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors, which have contributed to large and persistent trade surpluses among key U.S. trading partners. Countries included in the investigation beyond China, Mexico, and the EU are Japan, India, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Thailand.
The U.S. Trade Representative will solicit written comments, hold hearings, and consult with affected trading partners before proposing any responsive actions. The administration’s goal remains to protect American jobs and ensure fair trade with global partners.
The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling on February 20, found that Trump lacked authority to impose the original tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Following the decision, Trump signed an executive order implementing a 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act, which expires within 150 days. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration expects U.S. tariffs to return to pre-Supreme Court levels by August, pending additional studies and investigations.
Bessent emphasized the durability of previous tariffs, noting that they had survived over 4,000 legal challenges. He added that while the process is slower under current legal scrutiny, the authorities in place are robust and comprehensive. The administration’s latest actions signal a continued focus on trade enforcement as a cornerstone of U.S. economic policy.
