Tariffs Return Through The Front Door: USTR Launches New Section 301 Probes

On March 11, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) initiated new investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to examine whether the acts, policies, or practices of several major trading partners relating to structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors burden or restrict U.S. commerce. The investigations will examine whether government policies in certain economies promote industrial production capacity untethered from domestic or global demand, resulting in overproduction, persistent trade surpluses, and the displacement of U.S. manufacturing.

USTR identified 16 economies whose policies or practices are subject to these excess capacity investigations: China, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan, and India. The U.S. government will consult with each respective economy to discuss negotiated trade solutions. If