White House Expands Trade Policy Investigations Amidst New Tariffs

In a significant expansion of its trade policy investigations, the White House is set to probe the trade practices of multiple nations as it seeks to address alleged unfair trading conditions. This announcement comes in the wake of President Trump’s recent decision to impose a 10 percent tariff on certain goods, marking a new phase in the ongoing trade negotiations with several key players in the global market. Scope of Investigations On Wednesday, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer revealed that the administration has initiated investigations into the tax policies and practices of countries including China, the European Union, and India, among others. This initiative comprises various countries, notably Singapore, Switzerland, and Japan, as well as several Southeast Asian nations. Framework for Action The investigations are being conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. This legal framework enables the president to levy tariffs in response to what are deemed discriminatory trading practices. Greer noted, “We expect that this investigation will uncover a variety of unfair trading practices related to excess capacity and production in manufacturing.” Recent Tariff Implementation This focus on sister nations follows a decision made by the Supreme Court that recently invalidated most of the tariffs previously implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977. The newly established 10 percent tariffs were placed under Section 122 of the Trade Act, which is designed to help address significant balance-of-payments deficits. These tariffs are scheduled to expire on July 24, and Greer expressed the administration's intention to complete its inquiries into foreign trade practices by this deadline. Public Involvement and Future Proceedings Beginning Tuesday, the Trade Representative's office will invite public comments regarding the investigations with a submission deadline set for April 15. A public hearing will follow around May 5. “We don’t want to prejudge the outcome of these investigations,” Greer stated, emphasizing the open nature of the process. Additional Investigations In addition to the current probes, Greer announced another Section 301 investigation concerned with a ban on imports produced with forced labor. This inquiry is anticipated to involve around 66 countries. Greer clarified that, “This is not about domestic conditions of particular countries. It is really about whether countries have implemented external facing law to prohibit the imports of goods using forced labor.” Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.