The United States has launched new unfair-trade investigations targeting major global economies, signaling a renewed push by the Trump administration to rebuild tariff leverage.
The probes focus on excess industrial capacity and forced labor, following a Supreme Court ruling that dismantled large parts of the administration’s earlier tariff program.
The investigation could lead to fresh tariffs against major trading partners including China, the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, and Mexico as early as this summer.
Additional economies under review include Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Switzerland, and Norway. Canada was notably excluded from the probe.
Officials said the inquiry will examine countries showing persistent trade surpluses or unused industrial capacity, particularly in sectors where production significantly exceeds domestic demand.
China rejected the allegations, calling claims of overcapacity a “false proposition” and warning against what it described as politically motivated tariff actions.
Separately, Washington plans another investigation targeting imports produced with forced labor, potentially affecting shipments from more than 60 countries.
The Trump administration hopes to complete the probes before temporary tariffs expire in July, restoring negotiating leverage ahead of upcoming U.S.–China trade discussions.
