The administration of Donald Trump launched extensive trade investigations under Section 301 on March 11, 2026, targeting key allies and rivals. While the EU calls for dialogue, South Korea approves $350 billion in US investments, and Italian pasta producers celebrate a tariff cut.

New Section 301 investigations

The US initiated proceedings against 16 trading partners, aiming to restore tariffs previously challenged by the Supreme Court.

South Korea's giant investment

Seoul approved a law to invest $350 billion in the US economy, including in AI, semiconductor, and shipbuilding sectors.

Success for Italian pasta producers

The US Department of Commerce drastically lowered anti-dumping duties for Italian firms, e.g., for La Molisana from 92% to 2.26%.

European Union's appeal

Brussels calls on Washington to treat the EU as an ally in the fight against global overcapacity, not as the source of the problem.

President Donald Trump's administration initiated new trade investigations against 16 foreign partners on March 11, 2026, using Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The proceedings address the issue of excessive production capacity and aim to restore tariffs previously deemed illegal by the US Supreme Court. Among the entities under investigation are the European Union, China, Mexico, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, India, and South Korea. The US administration is thus seeking to rebuild tariff pressure, arguing that overproduction in these countries harms the economic interests of the United States. Section 301 was a key tool of trade policy during Donald Trump's first term, when it was used to impose broad tariffs on Chinese goods, sparking a global trade war. In 2024 and 2025, some of these actions were challenged in US courts, leading to current attempts to formally sanction the burdens through new investigations. This strategy aligns with the president's promises to protect domestic industry from foreign competition.

The European Union responded to Washington's actions by calling for adherence to bilateral trade agreements and respect for its status as an ally. Community representatives emphasize that Brussels should be seen as a partner in solving the problem of global overcapacity, not as its source or an opponent in a tariff dispute. High-ranking EU lawmakers note that the United States must honor existing agreements during the ongoing investigations. Meanwhile, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency reported progress in building a tariff refund system, which is now 40% to 80% complete. „The EU urges the US to view it as an ally in tackling overcapacity, not a source of the problem” — EU representative via Reuters

In the shadow of broad restrictions, Italy scored a diplomatic success after the US Department of Commerce significantly lowered proposed anti-dumping duties for its pasta producers. Following a review, the rate for La Molisana dropped from an initial 92% to just 2.26%, while for producer Garofalo it was set at 13.98%. Other Italian exporters were subject to an average rate of 9.09%. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation welcomed this decision as a result of effective negotiations that saved a key export sector from paralysis in the American market.

Simultaneously, South Korea took steps to ease trade tensions with the US by fulfilling investment commitments. On March 12, 2026, the South Korean National Assembly passed a law enabling the transfer of $350 billion into the US economy, fulfilling a trade agreement made in November 2025. Of this amount, $200 billion will be allocated to the development of strategic industries, and the remaining $150 billion will support the shipbuilding industry in the United States. This move is interpreted as Seoul's attempt to respond to Washington's tariff pressure and secure South Korea's position as a key US economic partner in the Asia-Pacific region.

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