Trump administration launches Section 301 trade investigations to replace Supreme Court-struck tariffs

The Trump administration initiated new trade investigations into manufacturing in 16 foreign economies using Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, seeking to replace hundreds of billions of dollars in tariff revenues lost after the Supreme Court struck down Trump's previous tariffs in February 2026. The investigations, conducted by the U.S. Trade Representative, target structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors including steel, aluminum, semiconductors, and electric vehicles. This represents Trump's effort to circumvent the Supreme Court's February 2026 ruling that declared his use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad tariffs unconstitutional. The targeted economies include China, Mexico, Canada, the European Union, and several Asian manufacturing nations. Critics argue this maneuver undermines judicial authority by using alternative legal mechanisms to achieve the same policy outcome the Court rejected.

"We will use every tool available to protect American workers and manufacturers from unfair foreign competition and structural overcapacity that threatens our economic security." — Statement from U.S. Trade Representative regarding the Section 301 investigations launched in response to the Supreme Court's tariff ruling