TEXTILES.ORG
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer announced on March 11 the launch of investigations into Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974. Additionally, Greer and Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard announced the first round of discussions in preparation for the joint review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Section 301 investigations
The investigations will explore “the acts, policies, and practices of various economies under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 relating to structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors,” according to a press release from the USTR. “[And] determine whether those acts, policies, and practices are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce.”
Economies subject to investigations include Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. USTR has requested consultations with the governments of all affected economies.
Section 301 investigations timeline
A docket for comments regarding the investigations will open on March 17, 2026.
Interested persons should submit written comments, requests to appear at the hearing, along with a summary of the testimony, by April 15, 2026. USTR will hold a hearing in connection with these investigations starting on May 5, 2026.
A copy of the Federal Register Notice is available here.
A docket for comments regarding the investigation will be available here.
A docket for requests to appear at the public hearing to be held in connection with this investigation will be available here.
USMCA review
Greer and Ebrard instructed negotiators to begin discussions on the agreement, which included reducing dependence on imports from outside the region, strengthening rules of origin, and enhancing the security of North American supply chains.
Negotiators are expected to hold their first meeting the week of March 16 and meet regularly thereafter as part of the joint review, according to a press release released by the USTR.