EU Trade Committee Advances U.S.-EU Trade Deal: On March 18, the European Parliament’s trade committee voted in support of two legal proposals to implement the U.S.-EU trade deal. The proposals passed with 29 votes in favor, nine against and one abstention. The measure is formally split into two different texts: one proposal that reduces European Union (EU) tariffs on U.S. products, while the other suspends the application of duty collections on covered products. The European Parliament is scheduled to hold a plenary vote on March 26, after which negotiations between the Parliament, the EU Commission and EU member state capitals can begin to implement the tariff changes. The proposals include amendments that would anchor the application of the trade deal to the removal of U.S. tariffs on steel derivatives. Trade Committee Chair Bernd Lange gained assurances from U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Greer earlier in the week that such relief for steel derivative products is forthcoming. Lange is expected to travel to the White House to meet with USTR Greer later this week, following the conclusion of the Trade Committee’s vote.
 
U.S.-Mexico USMCA Talks Advance While Canada Lags: On March 18, U.S. and Mexican trade negotiators began technical discussions in advance of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Joint Review, which should occur on or around July 1, 2026. U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Greer and his counterpart, Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard, held discussions in Washington, D.C. The two sides reviewed “specific options for increasing [bilateral] production and manufacturing employment, while limiting non-market inputs into North American supply chains.” The trade chiefs instructed their negotiating teams to establish a regular cadence of meetings to advance technical talks ahead of the Joint Review. Separately, USTR Greer warned that Canada was “behind on [USMCA technical talks].” He confirmed that the administration was conducting separate talks with Canada, but those discussions lagged behind current progress with Mexico. USTR Greer and Canada’s Trade Minister for the United States Dominic Leblanc met on March 6, but they have not maintained significant momentum since then. The office of Minister Leblanc stated that it was “not unusual for bilateral discussions between each party to move at a different pace” and noted the two sides remain in contact.

Malaysia Not Reneging from U.S. Trade Deal, Despite Reports: As of March 18, Malaysia is not pulling out of its trade agreement with the United States, despite reports earlier in the week indicating the opposite. Administration officials said they have not received “any indication from the Prime Minister’s office that Malaysia is exiting the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade" and that the White House “fully expects” Malaysia to uphold its commitment in the deal. Asian media outlets reported on March 17 that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had called the bilateral trade deal “null and void” due to the recent Supreme Court ruling, which struck down the Trump administration’s ability to use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to levy reciprocal tariffs. The trade deal, reached in October 2025, reduced U.S. reciprocal tariffs from 25 to 19% in exchange for reduced Malaysian tariffs on U.S. goods and greater market access for U.S. agricultural goods, among other concessions.

USTR Greer Floats Possibility of Section 338 Tariffs: On March 18, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Greer suggested the administration could levy new tariffs under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. Section 338 grants the president authority to impose retaliatory tariffs up to 50% on countries that discriminate against U.S. commerce. USTR Greer emphasized that “any tool [the administration] has is on the table … with Section 338 … it’s not the panacea that some people might say it is. But there are definitely circumstances where it is appropriate.” He added that “there are specific countries that treat the United States differently than they treat other countries.” Section 338 has been proposed as an alternate authority that could allow the Trump administration to reimpose broad tariffs previously levied under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which were invalidated by the Supreme Court in February. The authority has rarely been used, as administrations have opted for newer tariff authorities such as Sections 301 and 232. Last week, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative initiated two probes under Section 301, one meant to investigate structural excess capacity in foreign manufacturing sectors and the other to investigate countries’ protections against forced labor.