President Donald Trump’s administration may be on the verge of ramping up its threats against China on trade. If the talk ever turns to action, there could be troubling consequences for the global economy.

U.S. officials are gearing up to investigate China over what the administration perceives to be violations of intellectual property, said a government official who spoke on condition of anonymity on Wednesday because the probe hasn’t been announced.

The administration is considering having the U.S. Trade Representative’s office investigate the matter under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, the New York Times reported. The provision allows the president to impose tariffs to protect U.S. industry from foreign countries’ unfair trading practices.