US Expands Trade Investigations to 60 Countries Including Canada

The United States has expanded its US trade investigations to around 60 countries, and Canada is also included in the list. The step is part of the government’s plan to strengthen its tariff policies and review global trade practices.

Earlier this week, the US Trade Representative started US trade investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. At first, the investigations were aimed at the European Union and a few other countries.

Later, a new announcement confirmed that the US trade investigations would now cover many more countries. The government wants to check whether these nations have trade rules or policies that are unfair or that restrict US business and trade.

Officials said the investigations will study if certain foreign policies are “unreasonable or discriminatory” and if they create problems for American companies.

The decision comes after the US Supreme Court recently blocked a tariff tool that the president had often used to place tariffs on goods from countries like Canada, Mexico and China.

After the court’s decision, the government used another rule under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to introduce a 10 percent global tariff. However, this tariff can stay in place for only 150 days unless the US Congress approves it.

The expanded US trade investigations could play an important role in deciding future tariffs and trade policies between the United States and many countries around the world.