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U.S. Opens Sweeping Trade Probes to Lay Groundwork for New Tariffs

The process under a 1974 trade law starts with public comments followed by hearings.

Overview

  • USTR launched investigations into alleged structural overcapacity across about 15 economies, naming China, the European Union, Japan, India and Mexico among the targets.
  • A separate set of inquiries will examine forced-labor supply chains affecting goods bound for the U.S. market and could lead to import bans, with USTR expecting the review to touch roughly 60 countries.
  • Officials said the probes will proceed independently of existing trade agreements that cap tariff levels with some partners.
  • The administration maintains temporary 10% duties through July 24 as a stopgap after the Supreme Court struck down earlier tariff authority on February 20.
  • The European Union and China signaled they would respond if Washington breaches trade commitments or imposes punitive measures.