USTR Initiates Section 301 Investigation of China’s Implementation of the Phase One Agreement - U.S. Trade Representative
October 24, 2025
WASHINGTON — Today, United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced the initiation of a Section 301 investigation of China’s implementation of the Economic and Trade Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the People’s Republic of China (“Phase One Agreement”). USTR will examine whether China has fully implemented its commitments under the Phase One Agreement, the burden or restriction on U.S. commerce resulting from any non-implementation by China of its commitments, and what action, if any, should be taken in response.
“President Trump made history in his first term when he stood up for the American worker and brokered the Phase One Agreement, establishing a more fair and reciprocal trade relationship with China,” said Ambassador Greer. “The initiation of this investigation underscores the Trump Administration’s resolve to hold China to its Phase One Agreement commitments, protect American farmers, ranchers, workers, and innovators, and establish a more reciprocal trade relationship with China for the benefit of the American people.”
As explained in a formal notice, USTR is inviting public comments and will hold a hearing in connection with this investigation.
Background
On December 13, 2019, following months of negotiations, the United States and China reached the historic and enforceable Phase One Agreement. Under the Phase One Agreement, China agreed to make structural changes to correct distortive acts, policies, and practices in the areas of intellectual property (IP), technology transfer, agriculture, and financial services, and included certain issues covered in the Section 301 investigation of China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation. Given the persistent and large bilateral U.S. trade deficit with China, the Phase One Agreement committed China to make substantial additional purchases of U.S. goods and services.
Five years following entry into force, despite repeated U.S. engagement with China to address implementation concerns, China appears not to have lived up to its commitments under the Phase One Agreement with respect to non-tariff barriers, market access issues, and purchases of U.S. goods and services.
Section 302(b) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (Trade Act), authorizes the Trade Representative to initiate an investigation to determine whether conduct is actionable under Section 301 of the Trade Act. Actionable conduct under Section 301(a) includes, inter alia, that the rights of the United States under any trade agreement are being denied or that an act, policy, or practice of a foreign country violates, or is inconsistent with, the provisions of, or otherwise denies benefits to the United States under, any trade agreement.
To be assured of consideration, interested persons should submit written comments, requests to appear at the hearing, and a summary of the testimony, by December 1, 2025. USTR will hold a hearing in connection with this investigation on December 16, 2025.
A copy of the Federal Register Notice on the initiation of the investigation is available here.
A docket for comments regarding the investigation will be available here.
A docket for requests to appear at the public hearing to be held in connection with this investigation will open on October 31 and be available here.
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The United States Signs Technology Prosperity Deals with Japan and Korea - The White House
As part of President Trump’s trip to Asia, the United States signed Technology Prosperity Deals (TPD) with Japan and Korea, expanding, strengthening, and focusing science and technology collaboration with key allies. Building on the success of the U.S.-United Kingdom TPD signed in September 2025, these bilateral agreements further enable U.S. engagement with Japan and Korea’s unique science and technology ecosystems to align regulatory and standards approaches, accelerate research and development, and strengthen national security.
“The Trump Administration is redefining American technological leadership by driving bilateral collaborative partnerships with allies like Japan and Korea. Each Technology Prosperity Deal offers great opportunities to accelerate scientific discovery and lead the world into a new era of innovation driven by the US and our partners,” said Michael Kratsios, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
• The U.S.-Japan Technology Prosperity Deal, signed by Director Kratsios and Japanese Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy Onoda Kimi, will deepen cooperation to drive breakthroughs in AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, space, 6G, and fusion energy.
• The U.S.-Japan TPD will advance American interests through coordinated U.S.-Japanese AI exports. This will strengthen technology protections and refocus the partnership between the U.S. Center for AI Standards and Innovation and the Japan AI Safety Institute on metrology and standards innovation.
• The U.S.-Japan TPD also advances joint efforts to secure the innovation ecosystem, with particular focus on research security, resilient biotechnology and pharmaceutical supply chains, and protection of quantum technologies.
• The U.S.-Japan TPD advances strategic interests of the United States in space, 6G, and fusion technologies with a critical ally in the region.
o Space: This collaboration recognizes and expands Japan’s commitment to the Artemis program, including future lunar surface exploration missions and development of commercial space capabilities.
o 6G: This partnership enables both countries to promote secure and trusted networks.
o Fusion: This partnership advances American collaboration with Japan’s unique fusion energy facilities, including the JT-60SA tokamak, with goals to support continued development of commercial fusion reactors.
The U.S.-Republic of Korea Technology Prosperity Deal was signed by Director Kratsios and Korean Minister of Science, Information, and Communication Technology Bae Kyung-hoon to affirm the commitment of the two nations to science and technology collaboration.
• The U.S. will work with Korean counterparts to reduce operational burdens for technology companies and digital application platforms, with particular attention to removing barriers to innovative data localization hosting architectures.
• The U.S.-Korea TPD will advance American interests with coordinated U.S.-Republic of Korea AI exports, strengthening both countries’ export controls and enforcement, and refocusing the partnership between the U.S. Center for AI Standards and Innovation and the Korea AI Safety Institute on metrology and standards innovation.
• The U.S.-Korea TPD also advances combined efforts to secure the innovation ecosystem, with particular focus on research security, resilient biotechnology and pharmaceutical supply chains, and protecting quantum technologies.
• The U.S.-Korea TPD advances strategic interests of the U.S. in space exploration and 6G telecommunications, working to partner with Korea as a critical ally in the region.
• The two nations also agreed to engage in discussions to promote AI education programs, to empower children to flourish in the digital era and prepare future generations for the workplace of tomorrow. These will include participation in the Fostering the Future Together global initiative established by First Lady Melania Trump.
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Ambassador Greer Issues Statement on U.S. Trade Deals with Southeast Asian Countries - U.S. Trade Representative
October 26, 2025
WASHINGTON – Today, Ambassador Jamieson Greer issued the following statement on President Trump securing Agreements on Reciprocal Trade with Malaysia and Cambodia and reaching Frameworks for Agreements on Reciprocal Trade with Thailand and Vietnam.
“President Trump continues to secure historic trade deals to lower tariffs on U.S. exports and eliminate trade barriers, strengthening America’s economic and national security interests,” said Ambassador Greer. “These landmark deals demonstrate that America can maintain tariffs to shrink the goods trade deficit while opening new markets for American farmers, ranchers, workers, and manufacturers. I thank my counterparts from Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam for their collaboration and commitment in achieving a more balanced trade relationship with the United States.”
To read the Joint Statement, Fact Sheet, and text of the U.S.-Malaysia Agreement, click here.
To read the Joint Statement, Fact Sheet, and text of the U.S.-Cambodia Agreement, click here.
To read the Joint Statement on U.S.-Thailand Framework, click here, and to read the Fact Sheet, click here.
To read the Joint Statement on the U.S.-Vietnam Framework, click here, and to read the Fact Sheet, click here.
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In the News
• Trump tariffs live updates: Nvidia CEO hopes Blackwell chips can be sold in China but says decision up to Trump [Yahoo Finance]
• Shipping sector skeptical Trump’s latest trade truce with China will reverse import decline [CNBC]
• 4 Republicans back Senate resolution to undo Trump's tariffs around the globe [ABC News]
• Mexico's Sheinbaum says she and Trump agreed to extend trade deadline [Reuters]
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Import Alerts (FDA):
• [10/28/2025] "Detention Without Physical Examination of Drugs From Foreign Establishments Refusing FDA Inspection"
• [10/28/2025] "Detention without Physical Examination of Processed Human and Animal Foods for Pesticides"
• [10/28/2025] "Detention Without Physical Examination Of Raw Agricultural Products for Pesticides"
• [10/28/2025] "Detention Without Physical Examination of Seafood Products Due to Nitrofurans"
• [10/27/2025] Detention Without Physical Examination of Imported Food Products That Appear to Be Misbranded
• [10/27/2025] Detention Without Physical Examination of ***Mini-cup Gel and Jelly Candies of Firm Consistency that Present Risk of Choking***
• [10/27/2025] "Detention Without Physical Examination of Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella"
• [10/27/2025] "Detention Without Physical Examination of Ready-to-Eat Seafood for Listeria monocytogenes"
• [10/23/2025] "Detention Without Physical Examination of Human Food Products That Appear to be Adulterated for Economic Gain"
• [10/23/2025] "DETENTION WITHOUT PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF FOODS DUE TO HEAVY METAL (TOXIC ELEMENT) CONTAMINATION
• [10/23/2025] "Detention Without Physical Examination of Seafood Due to Viral Contamination"
• [10/23/2025] "Detention Without Physical Examination of New Tobacco Products, Other Than ENDS, Without Required Marketing Authorization"
• [10/23/2025] DETENTION WITHOUT PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF LOW-ACID CANNED FOODS OR ACIDIFIED FOODS DUE TO INADEQUATE PROCESS CONTROL
• [10/23/2025] "Detention Without Physical Examination Of Raw Agricultural Products for Pesticides"
• [10/23/2025] "Surveillance and Detention Without Physical Examination of Surgeon's and Patient Examination Gloves"
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Transparency Remains Core Priority in Work of Subsidies Committee - World Trade Organization
At a meeting of the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) on 28 October, Chair Jungsoo Hur (Republic of Korea) reiterated that members' submission of subsidy notifications is the most fundamental transparency obligation under the SCM Agreement. He expressed continued concern over chronically low submission rates.
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