US trade agenda targets tariffs, new investigations
Hopes to revise USMCA, manage China ties, expand deals
3 March 2026
1 minute read
By: The US Trade Representative’s office said Monday it will push for further reductions in foreign tariffs and non-tariff barriers this year, enforce existing “reciprocal” trade deals and consider launching new unfair trade practice investigations, reported Reuters.
The commitments are outlined in the Trump administration’s 2026 Trade Policy Agenda, released more than a week after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The agenda calls for addressing deficiencies in the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, including regional rules of origin and concerns related to investment from non-market economies and industrial overcapacity. It also calls for managing trade with China to improve balance and fairness, while monitoring compliance with a trade truce reached last year.
The administration plans to pursue new trade agreements and finalise framework deals with the European Union, India, Japan, North Macedonia, South Korea, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Thailand and Vietnam. It also aims to conclude agreements with Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan, and to enforce existing agreements through current trade laws.
The agenda says the US will evaluate whether new Section 301 investigations are warranted to address global overcapacity, seafood and fisheries practices, export-driven agricultural policies, pharmaceutical pricing and digital services taxes.
It also outlines efforts to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals, semiconductors, auto parts, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, metals and energy technologies, while attracting foreign investment that does not threaten national security.
The administration will advance trade priorities through the G7, G20, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and World Trade Organization. While it sees limited scope for broader WTO reform, it will push for reassessment of “most favored nation” tariffs to support bilateral agreements.
