The probe is based on Section 301 unfair trade practices|Kees Torn|CC BY-SA 2.0

The Trump administration has initiated a massive investigation into its leading trading partners, including the EU, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Mexico, signaling a new wave of potential tariffs.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced that the Trump administration has launched a Section 301 investigation into 16 trading partners over alleged excess manufacturing capacity and persistent trade surpluses.

The move comes after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs as unlawful, forcing his administration to look at new ways to impose levies.

Officials aim to conclude the probe by July, just as the current temporary 10% tariffs expire.