U.S. trading partners are urging the Trump administration to keep previously negotiated tariff levels in place after new investigations were launched that could lead to additional trade penalties. The probes were announced by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 following a Supreme Court ruling that struck down some earlier tariffs imposed under emergency powers. Countries including the European Union, Mexico, China, Japan, South Korea, and India could be affected by the review. Officials from several of those nations say they expect the United States to honor existing trade arrangements that capped tariffs on many goods at about 15 percent. The investigations will focus on claims of unfair trade practices, including large trade surpluses and industrial overcapacity, and could lead to new tariffs later this year, raising the potential for renewed tensions in global trade markets.
