USTR Initiates Section 301 Investigations Into Structural Excess Manufacturing Capacity Across 16 Economies
USTR launched Section 301 investigations into 16 economies over structural excess capacity in sectors including steel, aluminum, autos, batteries, semiconductors, chemicals, and electronics.
What this affects
China
European Union
Japan
Mexico
Vietnam
India
South Korea
Taiwan
Singapore
Switzerland
Norway
Indonesia
Malaysia
Cambodia
Thailand
BangladeshThe update
USTR launched Section 301 investigations into China, the EU, Japan, Mexico, Vietnam, India, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Bangladesh over structural excess capacity in manufacturing sectors including steel, aluminum, autos, batteries, semiconductors, chemicals, and electronics.
Impact
These investigations are widely viewed as the legal pathway to reimpose tariffs at or near pre-SCOTUS levels once the temporary Section 122 surcharge expires on July 24. Section 301 tariffs have no rate cap and no built-in expiration.
What to watch
These investigations are widely viewed as the pathway to reimpose tariffs once the temporary Section 122 surcharge lapses. Section 301 tariffs have no rate cap and no built-in expiration. Update, September 14, 2026: the July 24, 2026 target date passed without a determination. The statutory window for a determination runs into March 2027, so duties under this track can still arrive with little notice.
How to prepare
- 1Check whether your origin country is on the list
Sixteen economies covers most of the alternatives a China plus one plan would consider.
- 2Map your SKUs to the named sectors
Sector coverage is where the product lists will come from.
- 3Model a higher rate on the affected lines
Section 301 has no rate ceiling and no automatic expiry.
- 4Get origin evidence ready per SKU
Any relief or exclusion argument later starts with provable origin.