Trump raises the stakes on China with Section 301 trade probe, weeks before Beijing summit

March 12, 2026

TL;DR

The U.S. has launched sweeping trade investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, targeting unfair trade practices, particularly excess manufacturing capacity and production.
China is a primary focus of these probes due to issues like overcapacity and forced labor, aiming to increase U.S. leverage before a high-stakes summit in Beijing.
The investigations add uncertainty to the diplomatic backdrop and trade truce between the U.S. and China, with expectations for limited breakthroughs at the upcoming summit.
The U.S. may push for agricultural purchases and assurances on rare earth exports, while China will likely seek clarity on U.S. technology export restrictions.
The summit, with President Trump meeting Xi Jinping, is expected to focus on maintaining stability rather than fundamental changes to the bilateral relationship.

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