Trump Administration Launches Section 301 Trade Probe Against 16 Nations Including Korea

The Trump administration has launched Section 301 trade investigations against 16 economies, including South Korea, seeking to restore tariff authority after the Supreme Court ruled last month that tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unlawful.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced the investigation on June 11, targeting Korea, China, Japan, the EU, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, and India.

The probe focuses on "structural overcapacity" in manufacturing sectors. USTR stated that foreign overproduction "replaces existing U.S. production or impedes investment and expansion in U.S. manufacturing."

"We expect this investigation to reveal overcapacity and various unfair trade practices," Greer said during a briefing, citing subsidies, suppressed wages, and non-commercial activities by state-owned enterprises as contributing factors.

The investigation timeline calls for written comments by April 15, public hearings on May 5, and completion before the 150-day deadline for the current 10% global tariff expires in late July.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNN that once Section 301 and Section 232 investigations conclude, "the 122 tariff may no longer be necessary in five months."

A separate Section 301 investigation targeting "forced labor" practices in approximately 60 countries began June 12, widely viewed as aimed at China over alleged treatment of Uyghur Muslims.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun rejected the probe, calling overcapacity a "false premise" and opposing "all forms of unilateral tariff measures."

The EU issued a sharper response. Commission spokesperson Olof Gill warned that Brussels would "respond firmly and proportionately" if the U.S. violates last year's bilateral trade agreement.

Experts suggest Korea should now treat U.S. tariffs as a permanent factor in trade strategy planning.

Meanwhile, Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo met again with Vice President JD Vance. Experts said the meeting was unrelated to recent Coupang matters.

Treasury Secretary Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng are scheduled to meet in Paris on June 15-16 to coordinate ahead of a potential Trump-Xi summit.