Section 232 Investigations

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On September 21, 2021, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated an investigation to determine the effects on U.S. national security of imports of neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) permanent magnets (sometimes referred to as neodymium magnets, neo magnets, or rare earth magnets). According to a Commerce press release, “critical national security systems rely on NdFeB permanent magnets, including…

On August 23, 2021, the plaintiff group led by Transpacific Steel LLC filed a petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit) requesting a rehearing by all the Federal Circuit judges of the July 2021 three-judge panel decision reversing the ruling of the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) that…

On May 4, 2020, former Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the initiation of a Section 232 investigation into whether certain transformer components used in electrical power grids are imported in quantities that threaten national security. See SmarTrade Update of May 11, 2020. The investigation focused on transformers and transformer components (i.e.,…

On June 2, 2020, former Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the initiation of a Section 232 investigation into whether the quantities or circumstances of imports of vanadium into the United States threaten to impair U.S. national security. This investigation was the result of a petition filed by U.S. producers AMG Vanadium LLC (Cambridge, Ohio)…

On July 13, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit) issued a majority 2-1 opinion reversing the ruling of the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) that former President Donald J. Trump violated the provisions of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (Section 232) by increasing tariffs…

On June 15, 2021, the United States and European Union (EU) issued a joint Summit Statement trumpeting a “renewed transatlantic partnership” at the conclusion of President Joseph Biden’s first trip abroad as president.  The statement establishes a Joint Transatlantic Agenda “for the post-pandemic era, and … regular dialogue to take stock of progress.”  The leaders…

On May 17, 2021, the United States and European Union (EU) issued a Joint Statement agreeing to discussions in an effort to address global steel and aluminum excess capacity. In their statement, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, and European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis acknowledged the impact of this…

On May 12, 2021, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai testified before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee on President Joseph Biden’s trade agenda. Ambassador Tai’s written testimony noted that the Biden administration wants “a fair international trading system that promotes inclusive growth and reflects America’s universal values.” She noted that support from Congress would add “more…