United States Launches New Section 301 Investigations

The Trump administration has announced a host of trade investigations that could lead to new tariffs. Specifically, last Wednesday, March 11, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) initiated investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 regarding “structural excess capacity and production in various manufacturing sectors, such as through large or persistent trade surpluses or underutilized or unused capacity,” within Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, the European Union (EU), India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. (Note: USTR did not include Canada on the list of countries whose trade practices are to be investigated.)

The investigations will examine several specific product categories, including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, other nonferrous metals, automobiles, batteries, electronics, energy goods, machine tools, machinery, robotics, satellites, semiconductors, ships, solar modules, transportation equipment, and more.

The administration alleged these countries “are producing more goods than they can consume domestically,” which “displaces existing U.S. domestic production or prevents investment and expansion in U.S. manufacturing …”

The investigation timelines will proceed as follows:

• March 17, 2026: Public docket opens for submission of written comments and for requests to appear at the hearings.
• April 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST: Deadline for written comments and requests to appear at in-person hearings.
• May 5-8, 2026, Washington, D.C.: Public hearings commence.
• Seven calendar days after the last day of the public hearing: Deadline for submission of post-hearing rebuttal comments.
• To be determined: Issuance of the investigation determinations and proposals for remedial action, which may include an additional opportunity for public feedback.
• July 24, 2026: Unofficial target date for completion of the investigations and for remedy determinations.

Click here for more information, including for links to the docket for comments regarding the investigations and to the docket for requests to appear at the public hearings that will be held in connection with this investigation.