Washington, March 12 (NationPress) The United States has initiated a trade investigation targeting the structural excess manufacturing capacity present in 16 different economies. This list features prominent exporters including China and the European Union, along with key manufacturing hubs across Asia and emerging markets like India, Bangladesh, and Cambodia.

The USTR inquiries will assess whether ongoing trade surpluses and unutilized industrial capacity in these nations distort international markets and impact U.S. manufacturing.

The nations under scrutiny include China, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan, and India.

Together, these economies account for some of the world's largest export markets, with industries ranging from electronics and automobiles to textiles, chemicals, and energy.

China is particularly noteworthy as its global goods trade surplus surpassed $1.2 trillion in 2025, representing nearly 70% of the total global goods trade surpluses.

Additionally, China observed a bilateral trade surplus of $361 billion with the United States in 2024, the highest among its trading partners.

Exports from China are diverse, spanning machinery, electronics, automobiles, steel, chemicals, and consumer products.

However, China’s industrial utilization rate dipped to 74.4% in 2025, indicating substantial unused manufacturing capacity.

The European Union emerges as the second significant economic entity involved in the investigation.

In 2024, the euro area recorded a goods trade surplus of $451 billion, along with a $147 billion bilateral surplus with the U.S. Key sectors include chemicals, machinery, and vehicles.

Within Europe, nations like Germany and Ireland are recognized for their persistent trade surpluses, with some manufacturing sectors demonstrating relatively low capacity utilization.

Several Asian economies under examination act as crucial global manufacturing centers.

Vietnam has experienced one of the fastest-growing trade surpluses, reaching $196 billion in 2025, with a bilateral surplus with the U.S. climbing to $178 billion, largely driven by electronics and machinery exports.

South Korea reported a global goods trade surplus of $52 billion in 2024, while Taiwan achieved a $73.3 billion surplus, heavily relying on electronics and semiconductor industries.

Smaller export-oriented economies are also included in the investigation.

Singapore and Malaysia maintain robust surpluses in sectors such as semiconductors, electronics, petrochemicals, and machinery.

Another group of economies is linked to specific industries.

Mexico recorded a $197 billion goods trade surplus with the U.S. in 2025, with automotive exports contributing significantly to this number.

Japan, despite a global goods deficit of approximately $36 billion in 2024, had a $57 billion bilateral surplus with the U.S., primarily from vehicle exports.

In Southeast Asia, Thailand exports automobiles and machinery, while Bangladesh and Cambodia depend heavily on garments, footwear, and related products.

India, which is also part of the investigation, showed a $58 billion bilateral trade surplus with the U.S. in 2025. Major sectors contributing to this surplus include textiles, construction goods, health products, and automotive manufacturing.

The report highlights the excess capacity in various Indian industries, noting that in the solar sector, manufacturing capacity is nearly three times greater than domestic demand. Additional surplus capacity exists in petrochemicals and steel.

A smaller group of economies is primarily driven by commodity exports.

Norway and Indonesia maintain surpluses in fuels, metals, agricultural products, and seafood.

Switzerland is recognized for a significant surplus fueled by its exports of refined gold, pharmaceuticals, and machinery.

Despite their diverse characteristics, the 16 economies share a commonality: U.S. officials indicate that their production capacity frequently exceeds domestic demand.

This situation can lead to ongoing trade surpluses and unutilized industrial capacity.

U.S. officials argue that such imbalances can alter global trade dynamics, with excess production often finding its way into export markets, including the United States.