Knowledge Tree
Section 702
Also known as: Section 301
Facts (25)
Sources
USTR Launches Broad Section 301 Investigations Into Excess ... dwt.com 2 days ago 15 facts
measurementFor the two Section 301 investigations initiated in March 2026, written comments and requests to appear at public hearings from stakeholders are due by April 15, 2026.
claimCourts have historically granted significant deference to the United States government's use of Section 301 authority to impose tariffs.
claimThe sectors targeted by the Section 301 investigation include aluminum, automobiles, batteries, cement, chemicals, electronics, energy goods, glass, machine tools, machinery, nonferrous metals, paper, plastics, processed food and beverages, robotics, satellites, semiconductors, ships, solar modules, steel, and transportation equipment.
claimOn March 12, the USTR initiated a second Section 301 investigation focusing on the alleged failure of the United States' 60 largest trading partners to impose and effectively enforce prohibitions on the importation of goods produced with forced labor.
procedureThe Section 301 investigation process requires the USTR to initiate an investigation (either via petition or on its own), consult with the involved foreign governments, and have an interagency Section 301 Committee (established under 15 C.F.R. § 2002.3) solicit public comments and hold public hearings to determine if misconduct and harm exist before recommending remedial action.
claimRemedial actions implemented under Section 301 are unbound in scope or duration, subject only to mandatory four-year reviews, and may be modified under Section 307 of the Trade Act of 1974.
claimThe Section 301 investigation will focus on the following countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
claimUSTR Greer stated that the new Section 301 investigations will be conducted on an accelerated timeline, with the goal of implementing action no later than July 24, 2026.
claimFuture litigation is expected to challenge the Trump Administration's use of Section 301 authority to impose tariffs.
claimChina's commerce ministry has initiated its own investigations into the United States in response to the USTR's Section 301 investigations.
claimThe USTR initiated an investigation on March 11, 2026, to determine if structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors in 16 customs jurisdictions, including China, the European Union, and Mexico, are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce.
claimThe Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) initiated two investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. § 2411) to investigate alleged unfair trade practices in 60 foreign economies regarding excess supply and forced labor prohibitions.
claimThe countries targeted for review in the Section 301 investigation are Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, the EU, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
claimThe USTR scheduled Section 301 tariffs to be imposed in 2027 on most Nicaraguan goods due to human rights practices and on Chinese semiconductors due to government activity in that sector.
claimThe U.S. Administration is launching new Section 301 investigations into excess supply and forced labor prohibition practices of economies that account for over 99% of U.S. imports.
USTR initiates Section 301 investigations of 60 US trade partners ... jdsupra.com Mar 17, 2026 5 facts
claimThe USTR has not invoked Section 301 provisions that would permit the agency to proceed with investigations without first holding standard public consultation and advisory committee meetings.
procedureThe US government utilizes a two-stage trade policy approach: rapid tariff implementation under Section 122, followed by the development and implementation of longer-term Section 301 tariffs during the 150-day Section 122 window.
procedureUpon making an affirmative determination to take remedial action under Section 301, the USTR must implement that action within 30 days, although there are options to extend this timeline.
procedureSection 301 authorizes the USTR to (1) impose duties or other import restrictions, (2) withdraw or suspend trade agreement concessions, or (3) enter into a binding agreement with the foreign government to either eliminate the conduct in question or compensate the United States with satisfactory trade benefits.
claimUnder Section 301, action is considered 'discretionary' when the foreign act, policy, or practice is 'unreasonable or discriminatory' and 'burdens or restricts' US commerce.
Section 301 Tariffs: A Complete Guide - Shapiro shapiro.com 1 fact
claimSection 301 was enacted as part of the Trade Act of 1974 to provide the U.S. government with a legal framework to address unfair trade practices by foreign countries.
USTR Initiates 60 Section 301 Investigations Relating to Failures to ... ustr.gov Mar 12, 2026 1 fact
referenceUnder Section 302(b) of the Trade Act of 1974, the United States Trade Representative has the authority to self-initiate an investigation under Section 301.
USTR Launches 60 Section 301 Investigations on Forced Labor Trade linkedin.com Mar 16, 2026 1 fact
procedureUnder Section 301, the USTR has the authority to self-initiate investigations and is required to engage in consultations with affected governments.
From FOIAs to planes, Jeffrey Epstein's brushes with the CIA sashaingber.substack.com Feb 16, 2026 1 fact
claimIn denying Jeffrey Epstein's FOIA request, the National Security Agency (NSA) cited Section 702, a surveillance program used to monitor foreigners overseas, and Section 215, a bulk metadata collection program that expired in 2020.
Initiation of Section 301 Investigations of Acts, Policies, and ... federalregister.gov Mar 17, 2026 1 fact
procedurePursuant to Section 304 of the Trade Act, the United States Trade Representative will determine if the acts, policies, or practices under investigation are actionable under Section 301, and if so, determine the appropriate action to take.