Section 301 Investigations: Structural Excess Capacity and Production in Manufacturing Sectors

On March 11, 2026, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative initiated Section 301 investigations into the acts, policies, and practices of certain economies relating to structural excess capacity and production in certain manufacturing sectors. The investigations focus on China, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan, and India.

USTR states that it will accept public comments on these investigations between March 17 and April 15 and hold a hearing starting May 5.  USTR Jamieson Greer said he hopes to conclude the investigations before Section 122 tariffs expire July 24.

These investigations could result in the imposition of additional tariffs or other measures against imports from some or all of the affected trading partners. However, Greer appeared to leave open the possibility that affected economies may be able to negotiate with the U.S. over the nature and intensity of any such measures, depending on factors including their implementation of commitments under the trade agreements or frameworks many of them have concluded in recent months with the U.S.

Official Documents

• Federal Register: Initiation of Section 301 Investigations: Acts, Policies, and Practices of Certain Economies Relating to Structural Excess Capacity and Production in Manufacturing Sectors (March 17, 2026)
• Fact Sheet: USTR Initiates Section 301 Investigations Into Structural Excess Capacity and Production in Manufacturing Sectors (March 12, 2026)
• USTR: Initiation of Section 301 Investigations of Acts, Policies, and Practices of Various Economies Relating to Structural Excess Capacity and Production in Manufacturing Sectors (March 11, 2026)