The US has initiated a fresh inquiry into several of its largest trading partners following the Supreme Court's recent annulment of a crucial aspect of President Donald Trump's tariff policies.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer indicated that the Section 301 investigation into unfair trade practices might result in new tariffs on nations such as China, the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, and Mexico by this summer.
The investigation may enable the US to levy import tariffs on products from any nations identified as participating in unfair trade activities.
Greer expressed his desire to finish the investigations before the new temporary tariffs implemented by Trump in late February lapse in July.
Countries under investigation also encompass Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Switzerland, and Norway.
Canada, the US's second largest trading partner, was not identified as a target of the investigation.
This action follows the Supreme Court's recent decision that the tariffs placed by Trump on various nations globally in April of last year were illegal.
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Shortly after the ruling, the president declared a new 10percent global tariff, describing the decision as "terrible" and criticizing the justices who dismissed his trade policy as "fools."
The next day he stated the levy would be 15percent, but when it was implemented, the rate charged was actually 10percent.
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Since that time, Trump and other top officials in his administration have stated that the tax will be increased to 15percent.
The investigation provides the Trump administration an opportunity to strengthen its argument for a legitimate tariff threat against its trading partners.
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This coincides with senior US officials preparing to meet their Chinese counterparts in Paris this weekend.
Those talks are expected to help lay the groundwork for Trump to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing at the end of March.