United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the administration is pursuing new tariffs through ongoing investigations into unfair trading practices across more than 70 countries. The move follows Supreme Court and court rulings that blocked earlier broad tariff powers.
Greer told CNBC that findings from the investigations will be released in the coming weeks. Proposals could include tariffs to address issues such as structural excess capacity and forced labor. The administration is now relying on Sections 301 and 232 of trade law after losing access to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and a temporary measure under Section 122. Section 301 investigations, which Greer oversees, examine unfair trade practices and can lead to tariffs or other restrictions. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick can launch separate Section 232 probes focused on national security threats from imports. The department has already started multiple such actions since President Donald Trump returned to office. These processes typically take three to nine months and involve public input before any tariffs are proposed.
