Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act describes itself as "the principal statutory authority under which the United States may impose trade sanctions against foreign countries that maintain acts, policies and practices that violate, or deny U.S. rights or benefits under, trade agreements, or are unjustifiable, unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce." [1] The provision allows the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to initiate an investigation of the trade practices of another country, either on its own initiative, or upon the requst of a U.S. citizen. A list of investigations to date is available on the USTR site [2]
Sections 301-310 of the Trade Act were challenged by a number of Members of the World Trade Organization as contrary to the WTO Agreement, but the challenge was rejected. [3]
The U.S. Trade Representative also performs a "Special" 301 report on intellectual property in many nations. ([4]
