TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The United States Trade Representative launched a Section 301 investigation Thursday (March 12) targeting China, the EU, Japan, South Korea, India, and Taiwan over trade practices. The probe, authorized under the U.S. Trade Act of 1974, aims to address what Washington calls structural overcapacity and unfair production practices in these economies. USTR chief Jamieson Greer said the investigation could result in new tariffs, negotiations, or other retaliatory actions based on its findings.
Greer stated Thursday that the investigation aims to reach conclusions before the current 150-day tariff period under Section 122 expires. The probe will evaluate trade deficits, bilateral trade imbalances, and underutilized production capacity in targeted countries. These nations together account for a significant portion of U.S. imports.
The USTR will hold public hearings starting May 5, allowing stakeholders to present their views on the proposed trade actions. The agency has called for consultations with targeted countries and will open a public comment period on Tuesday (March 17). The probe follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in late February that limited President Donald Trump's tariff authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
Taiwan's Executive Yuan (行政院), the island's cabinet, released a statement on Thursday responding to the investigation. Spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said Taiwan's interests remain protected. Lee noted that Taiwan and the U.S. have signed a bilateral Reciprocal Trade Agreement (RTA) that already addresses several issues under the Section 301 investigation.