Overview
- The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative proposed on June 2 new Section 301 tariffs that would levy two general ad valorem rates near 10 percent and 12.5 percent on imports from 60 investigated economies and included limited product carve‑outs.
- USTR found that 54 of the 60 economies failed to both impose and effectively enforce bans on goods made with forced labour, which the agency said justifies trade remedies under the Trade Act.
- The Supreme Court declined to hear a separate legal challenge to earlier China tariffs on June 15, a decision that leaves prior Trade Act precedent intact and may encourage the administration’s use of the same authority.
- USTR has opened a formal rulemaking with written comments due July 6 and public hearings starting July 7 while temporary emergency duties are set to expire later in July, creating a compressed timetable for final action and likely court challenges.
- Targeted governments including the EU and China and many industry groups have protested the proposals and analysts warn the measures could raise U.S. import costs, disrupt supply chains, and speed firms toward alternative trading partners and regional deals.