Office of the U.S. Trade Representative: The new Section 301 investigation will cover most major trading partners.

According to CCTV News, the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned tariffs imposed by the White House under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Subsequently, the U.S. Trade Representative's Office (USTR) quickly hit back, announcing the launch of a new round of "Section 301" investigations covering most major trading partners, with a particular focus on the pharmaceutical and technology industries. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated clearly in a media interview that the new investigation scope will be extremely broad, "covering most major trading partners." The basis is Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. This may indicate that the focus of U.S. trade policy enforcement has not weakened due to judicial setbacks, but has instead maintained a high-pressure stance by switching legal tools. Regarding specific targets of concern to the market, Greer provided a detailed list. In addition to traditional issues like industrial overcapacity and forced labor, the pharmaceutical and technology industries are the focus of this investigation. “The new investigation may cover areas ranging from industrial overcapacity and forced labor to drug pricing and discrimination against U.S. technology companies and digital goods.” In addition, Digital Services Taxes, ocean pollution, and trade practices related to seafood, rice, and other commodities are also under key scrutiny. For companies exporting related products to the U.S. worldwide, this means a significant increase in policy risks. Accelerated Progress: Tariffs Remain a Core Tool For the market, this is not a lengthy administrative process. Greer emphasized that the USTR "plans to set an accelerated timeline" for these investigations. Regarding the enforcement of the investigation results, Greer did not shy away from emphasizing the role of tariffs: “If the investigation finds unfair trade practices, tariffs are one of the available tools.” This means that once the investigation is implemented, the import costs of related industries may rise rapidly, thereby affecting the profit margins and supply chain stability of related listed companies. Policy Logic: "Combination Punch" in Response to the Supreme Court Ruling The direct trigger for this round of intensive Section 301 investigations is a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier Friday, which struck down the Trump administration’s tariffs of 10% to 50% imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). To fill this policy vacuum, the Trump administration quickly launched a "combination punch": 1. Temporary Global Tariffs: On Friday, Trump announced the implementation of a 10% temporary global import tariff for 150 days under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. 2. Launching Section 301 Investigations: As the long-term mechanism, instructing the USTR to start new investigations under Section 301. Greer stated that the Supreme Court’s ruling only impacted the "reciprocal and fentanyl tariffs" imposed under IEEPA, while a large number of tariffs imposed under other laws remain valid. Existing Agreements Remain Stable Although the legal battle is intense, the USTR is trying to allay market concerns about the collapse of the existing trade framework. Greer expressed confidence in the validity of the trade agreements previously negotiated by Trump. “Despite pending lawsuits, our partners have responded positively and engaged in sincere negotiations and agreements. We must be confident that all of the trade agreements negotiated by President Trump will continue to be valid.” According to data from the Council on Foreign Relations, the current government has reached framework trade agreements with more than a dozen countries and signed agreements with another seven. Greer's remarks are intended to signal to the market that even as tariff tools are being adjusted, the fundamentals of bilateral trade will not be easily overturned. Greer finally revealed that the USTR will continue to advance Section 301 investigations involving Brazil and other countries, and if unfair trade practices are found, tariff sanctions may also be imposed. Risk Warning and Disclaimer The market involves risks, and investment requires caution. This article does not constitute personal investment advice, nor does it consider the special investment objectives, financial status, or needs of individual users. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions in this article are suitable for their specific situation. Any investment based on this is at their own risk.