US administration opens Section 301 probes into 16 economies
Updated
Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 10
US administration opens Section 301 probes into 16 economies
8 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 10
The mid-March action targets economies including China, the European Union, Norway and Bangladesh over alleged “structural excess capacity” said to harm US manufacturing.
Officials argue excess output and underused factories can displace domestic production and justify tariffs under the 1974 Trade Act’s Section 301 powers.
The move follows court setbacks to Trump-era tariff efforts and broadens trade tensions, though critics say normal export strength and spare capacity do not necessarily burden US commerce.
After courts blocked past tariffs, can a new 'overproduction' claim legally justify the next wave of global trade restrictions?
As U.S. tariff investigations expand to include allies, will this strategy isolate adversaries or alienate friendly nations?