Trump Opens Section 301 Probe on China Ahead of Beijing Summit

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated a new trade investigation targeting China just weeks before a planned high‑level summit in Beijing. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced that a probe has been opened under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to examine trade and manufacturing practices among major U.S. trading partners.

According to officials, the investigation covers 16 economies, including China, India, the European Union, Japan, South Korea and Mexico. The process could ultimately allow Washington to impose new tariffs on imports from these countries if their policies are found to harm U.S. commerce.

The move comes after a U.S. Supreme Court decision in February struck down parts of Trump’s earlier tariff program that had been justified under emergency economic powers. U.S. trade officials said the administration is exploring alternative legal mechanisms to restore tariff measures and protect domestic industries.

The timing of the probe is seen as a signal that Washington is seeking leverage ahead of upcoming talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Section 301 investigations have historically been a key instrument in U.S. trade policy and previously formed the basis for tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of Chinese imports during the U.S.–China trade conflict.