GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jul 10, 2026

Section 201 (Safeguard)

As of July 2026.

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Last updated: 10 July 2026Published: 23 June 2026

Source: U.S. Trade Act of 1974, Section 201; USITC; Proklamationen 9693/9694 (Jan. 2018) zu Solar- und Waschmaschinen-Safeguards; Verlängerung der Solar-Schutzmaßnahme (Feb. 2022), Auslaufen 6.2.2026. Stand: Juni 2026.

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Definition & Explanation

As of July 2026. Section 201 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974 is the legal basis for global safeguard measures: it allows temporary tariffs or import quotas when the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) finds that increased imports are a substantial cause of "serious injury" to a domestic industry—regardless of whether those imports are unfair. The USITC investigates and recommends relief; the President makes the final decision on its form and level. Measures are statutorily limited to a maximum of eight years. The best-known example: in January 2018 President Trump imposed Section 201 tariffs on solar cells/modules (30%, declining 5 percentage points per year, with a 2.5 GW tariff-rate quota) and on large residential washing machines (starting at 20%). President Biden extended the solar safeguard for four years in February 2022; it expired definitively on 6 February 2026 at a final 14% rate due to the eight-year ceiling. As of July 2026 there is therefore no active Section 201 measure in force. Not to be confused with Section 232 (national security), Section 301 (unfair trade practices) or antidumping duties: Section 201 requires no fault by a trading partner but responds purely to import volumes. Section 201 duties apply on top of (stacking) the regular HTS rates but are distinct from the newer reciprocal tariffs and surtaxes.

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Section 201 (Safeguard)

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