Trump administration launches new trade investigations after Supreme Court ruling

The administration of President Donald Trump has initiated new investigations into unfair trade practices under Section 301, seeking to restore tariff pressure after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down earlier, broad-based tariffs. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced that the proceedings will examine whether the economic policies of other countries are driving excessive production capacity, which directly harms U.S. manufacturers. Washington's new trade offensive forces foreign partners to prove why their goods should benefit from the lowest tariff rates. In response to these actions, Singapore has already announced it will initiate formal talks with the USTR office. Simultaneously, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency is working on a mechanism to refund duties collected before the court ruling, declaring system readiness at a level of 40 to 80 percent.

The European Union has called on the United States to adhere to the terms of the Turnberry Agreement and treat the Community as an ally, not a source of trade problems. European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill emphasized that Europe shares concerns about global overproduction but will not accept unilateral increases in tariff burdens. High-ranking EU lawmakers note that Washington must honor existing bilateral agreements during the ongoing investigations. Brussels warns that it will respond firmly and proportionately to any potential breach of trade rules. Trade relations between the USA and the EU in recent years have been characterized by tensions over steel and aluminum tariffs, which attempts were made to alleviate through cooperation agreements. The Turnberry Agreement provides a framework for jointly countering unfair competition from third countries, primarily in sectors affected by overproduction. Previous attempts by the Donald Trump administration to impose broad tariffs were challenged by the U.S. Supreme Court, forcing the White House to seek new legal grounds for protectionist policy. „EU to respond firmly and proportionately to any breach of US trade deal” — Olof Gill via Reuters

Canada and Mexico are striving to maintain the trilateral nature of the USMCA agreement ahead of the treaty's mandatory review, which begins on July 1, 2026. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra acknowledged that Washington is encountering resistance from Ottawa in current negotiations, complicating the process of renewing the agreement. Representatives of both U.S. neighbors emphasize that maintaining the integrity of the North American trade bloc is crucial for the stability of regional supply chains. Despite U.S. pressure to obtain bilateral concessions, the governments in Ottawa and Mexico City maintain a united front in defense of the existing cooperation principles. 80 (percent) — upper limit of CBP tariff refund system readiness Trade Review Schedule: March 12, 2026 — USTR announcement of new trade investigations; July 1, 2026 — Start of mandatory USMCA agreement review