The Trump Administration instituted a new Section 301 tariff investigation focused on what U.S. officials describe as industrial overcapacity in export-reliant economies that use subsidies and other policy support to undercut American producers in global markets. The probe could lead to higher tariffs on goods from major trading partners including China, India, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and the European Union. An illustrative list of affected sectors includes aluminum, automobiles, batteries, chemicals, electronics, energy products, machinery, semiconductors, steel, and other transportation and industrial goods. A fact sheet on the investigation is available here and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is expected to publish a Federal Register notice seeking public comments, with submissions due April 15, 2026. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer indicated the Administration aims to complete the review by mid-July, when temporary 10% tariffs imposed under Section 122 are scheduled to expire.
