Section 301 investigation into industrial overcapacity remains open
USTR opened a separate Section 301 investigation on March 12, 2026 into structural excess capacity and overproduction in manufacturing across 16 economies: China, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan, and India. The administration argues that overproduction in these economies displaces U.S. domestic manufacturing or discourages new U.S. investment. A public comment period opened March 17, 2026, and a hearing was held starting May 5, 2026. As of this writing, the investigation has not resulted in tariff action.
Canada tariffs
The U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on $20 billion worth of Canadian imports on Aug. 22, using Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 for the first time in the legislation's history. The U.S. claims the tariffs are in response to discriminatory measures Canada has taken against U.S. products across industries, including automobiles, dairy, and alcohol. Negotiations failed over automobile tariffs, U.S. demands to limit trade agreements stuck by Canada with third countries, and the treatment of cultural and French-language items. The U.S. tariffs do not cover natural resources, such as oil and critical minerals.
Canada's retaliatory tariffs took effect Sept. 8, ranging from 15% to 50% on about $20 billion of U.S. goods, including electronics, appliances, and dairy products. The same day, President Trump signed orders under Section 338 banning imports of dairy products, alcohol, and motorcycles from Canada, set to take effect Sept. 29. He also adjusted the scope of existing tariffs, removing levies on cement, road salt, and some hospital products while adding 50% tariffs on some ATVs, boats, and cheeses, effective Sept. 15.
Separately, Trump said via social media that he would direct the GSA and USTR to remove Canadian firms from the Multiple Award Schedules unless Canada restores "full and fair reciprocity," although there is no timeline for that action.
President Trump previously said he would double tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks, and automobile parts from 25% to 50%, starting Jan. 1, 2027, also in response to Canada's retaliatory tariffs. The current 25% tariff on Canadian automobiles applies only to non-U.S. content.
China tariffs
The U.S. and China reached an agreement on Oct. 30, 2025 during President Trump's trip to South Korea, covering a range of trade issues. China agreed to halt the flow of fentanyl precursors into the U.S., suspend its rare-earth and critical mineral export controls announced Oct. 9, 2025, end retaliation against U.S. semiconductor companies, and resume purchases of U.S. soybeans and other agricultural products. China committed to buying at least 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans in the final two months of 2025 and at least 25 million tons annually in 2026, 2027, and 2028. In exchange, the U.S. lowered its fentanyl-related tariff on China by 10 percentage points effective Nov. 10, 2025, bringing the overall rate to 47%, and extended the suspension of heightened reciprocal tariffs. Both countries also suspended elevated port fees on each other's cargo ships. The suspensions on both sides, including China's rare-earth controls and a U.S. rule extending export restrictions to affiliates of blacklisted Chinese firms, run through Nov. 10, 2026.
President Trump made a state visit to Beijing May 13 to 15, 2026, the first by a sitting U.S. president since 2017. The two governments announced plans for a U.S.-China Board of Trade and a U.S.-China Board of Investment to manage bilateral commerce. China agreed to an initial purchase of 200 Boeing (BA -0.79%) aircraft, confirmed by both the White House and Boeing, along with at least $17 billion a year in U.S. agricultural purchases through 2028 and the restoration of market access for U.S. beef and poultry. Xi Jinping's visit to Washington is expected in September 2026.
Despite the truce, both countries have continued targeted actions. The Department of Defense expanded its list of Chinese military-linked companies on June 8, 2026, adding 17 new parent companies, including Alibaba (BABA -0.77%), Baidu (BIDU -1.57%), BYD, and NIO (NIO -3.24%), along with 48 new subsidiaries of already-listed firms. A ban on the Pentagon contracting directly with listed entities took effect June 30, 2026. A broader ban on procuring goods or services incorporating listed entities' components follows June 30, 2027. China's foreign ministry criticized the update but had not announced specific retaliatory measures as of mid-July 2026.
A separate license framework announced in December 2025 allows limited sales of Nvidia's (NVDA -2.27%) H200 chip to China, subject to a 25% tariff and a government revenue share, with licenses issued starting in mid-May 2026. A U.S. Commerce official testified in mid-July 2026 that shipments have resumed but remain a small quantity of chips, with the government reviewing applications on a case-by-case basis and denying some requests.