GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 25, 2026

Section 201 (Safeguard)

As of June 2026.

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Last updated: 25 June 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 June 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. 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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