USTR Initiates Section 301 Investigation

On August 14 President Donald Trump instructed the U.S. Trade Representative, through an executive order, to determine whether to initiate a Section 301 investigation against China for policies that harm American intellectual property rights, innovation or technology development. On Friday, August 18 USTR initiated the investigation. Section 301 investigations give the President the authority to investigate whether the policies of trade partners are unreasonable or discriminatory and, if they are, to impose restrictions on the import of Chinese goods and services. A Section 301 investigation must be completed within one year.