USTR Proposes Section 301 Tariffs on Brazil
On June 1, 2026, the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) proposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (“Section 301”) to impose tariffs on imports of goods from Brazil due to Brazil’s practices involving digital trade and electronic payment services, unfair and preferential tariffs, anti-corruption enforcement, intellectual property protection, ethanol market access, and illegal deforestation.
On June 2, 2026, the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) proposed tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (“Section 301”) on imports from 60 countries for their failure to enforce prohibitions related to forced labor. The USTR found that these failures are unreasonable and burden U.S. commerce. The proposed tariffs range from 10% to 12.5%, though they do contain several carveouts.
On March 12, 2026, United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) Greer announced a new investigation under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 relating to the “failure to impose and effectively enforce a ban on the importation of goods produced with forced labor are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce.” According to
On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) Greer announced a new investigation under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 relating to “structural excess capacity and production in certain manufacturing sectors.” According to the Federal Register Notice, “[k]ey trading partners have developed production capacity untethered from the incentives of domestic
U.S. Launches Section 301 Investigation into China’s Phase One Trade Agreement Compliance
On October 24, 2025, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced the launch of a Section 301 investigation into China’s implementation of its commitments under the phase one trade agreement, which was singed on January 15, 2020, in response to the U.S. imposing up to 25% in Section 301 duties.
USTR Imposes 100% Tariffs on Ship-to-Shore Cranes Under Section 301
Effective November 9, 2025, the United States will impose additional duties of 100% on certain ship-to-shore (“STS”) cranes and certain cargo handling equipment from China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. These tariffs follow the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”)’s original proposal in April 2025.
On September 25, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“CAFC”) issued its decision upholding tariffs imposed during President Trump’s first administration pursuant to Section 301 on goods imported from China. Specifically, the CAFC held that Section 301 Lists 3 and 4A tariffs were appropriate and a valid use of the government’s
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review the legality of tariffs imposed by President Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). This decision follows a series of lower court rulings that challenge the extent of presidential authority in trade matters, particularly concerning the imposition of tariffs without express congressional approval.
In May
On May 11, 2025, the U.S. announced that it had reached an agreement with China to mutually reduce tariffs against each country for 90 days. The reduced rates, discussed below, will take effect for goods entered on or after May 14, 2025. The reduced rates will not be retroactive and will only apply to entries effective May 14, 2025, and forward.