The US government started new probes into the manufacturing practices of 16 trading partners, which are China, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan, and India.

These investigations, conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, examine whether foreign policies lead to structural excess capacity and production that harms the US industry.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said that foreign overproduction restricts the reindustrialization of the US. This move came shortly after the Supreme Court overturned previous global tariffs.

The Trump administration is utilizing Section 301 to address foreign government actions deemed unreasonable, discriminatory, or unjustifiable. This legal authority allows the US Trade Representative to independently start investigations into practices that restrict American commerce. Parties wishing to participate must provide written comments and hearing requests by April 15, 2026. Official public hearings regarding these trade investigations are scheduled to begin on May 5, 2026.