Marketplace Tariff whack-a-mole
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Mar 13, 2026 Nova Safo, a reporter on trade investigations, explains new uses of Sections 232 and 301 to reimpose import taxes. Rose Mora-Laurie, Wirecutter product investigator, exposes counterfeit skincare sold by third-party sellers and offers safer buying tips. Rachel Siegel, an economy reporter, breaks down recent GDP, inflation and Fed signals and what they mean for markets and policy.
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Old Data Still Useful But Less Predictive After Shocks
- Pre-war economic data (PCE, JOLTS, Q4 GDP) still matter as a baseline, but rapidly changing external events limit their predictive power.
- Rising oil and slowing growth complicate inflation outlooks and Fed decision-making next week.
Administration Uses Trade Probes To Circumvent Court Ruling
- The Trump administration is launching Section 301 trade probes to replace tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court.
- Investigations target dozens of countries including allies and aim to produce country-specific tariffs or other remedies before temporary tariffs expire in July.
Two Legal Paths Will Shape New Tariff Strategy
- Sections 232 and 301 provide alternate legal paths: 232 cites national security and 301 cites vague unfair trade practices.
- Experts say resulting tariffs could vary by country and face more legal challenges this time due to rapid timing.