USTR has just launched new, wide‑ranging Section 301 investigations into “excess capacity” and other unfair trade practices across multiple economies, with explicit references to textiles and apparel in relation to ASEAN and broader global value chains.

The administration’s goal is to complete these probes and, if warranted, introduce new punitive measures by around mid‑year, roughly when Section 122 authority expires, so there is no gap in tariff pressure.