President Trump has signed two proclamations imposing 25 percent tariffs on imports of steel mill products and 10 percent tariffs on wrought and unwrought aluminum pursuant to his announcement on March 1, 2018. The president stated that these actions were necessary to address global overcapacity and unfair trade practices in the steel and aluminum
Aluminum
President Declares the United States Will Impose Tariffs of 25 Percent on Steel Imports and 10 Percent on Aluminum Imports
In the category of “we can’t make this stuff up,” there reportedly has been in the past 24 hours an all-out war within the Trump administration over any tariffs to be implemented as a result of the Section 232 investigations into steel and aluminum imports. On February 16, the Department of Commerce publicly released reports…
President Trump Comments on Trade to U.S. Governors
In wide-ranging remarks during a business session with U.S. governors, President Trump yesterday repeatedly broached the topic of international trade. The president reiterated his commitment to working on fair and reciprocal trade deals and highlighted specific trade issues:
- Mexico – “You know, with Mexico … we probably lose $130 billion a year…. And, at some
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Defense Supports Section 232 Findings of Impact on “National Security” But Urges Caution in Applying Any Remedy
In an undated memo from the Department of Defense (DoD) to the Department of Commerce that was released last night, DoD concurred with Commerce’s recent Section 232 reports on steel and aluminum that have been submitted to President Trump for review. DoD agreed that “imports of foreign steel and aluminum based on unfair trading practices…
Commerce Releases Section 232 Steel and Aluminum Reports Submitted to President Trump Last Month
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross released today the Section 232 reports prepared by the Commerce Department and submitted to President Trump last month on the national security impact of U.S. imports of steel mill products and of wrought and unwrought aluminum. As expected, Commerce found that the quantities and circumstances of steel and aluminum imports “threaten to impair the national security.” The reports remain under consideration by the president. He is required to make a decision on the steel recommendations by April 11, 2018, and on the aluminum recommendations by April 19, 2018. The president can take a range of actions or no action, based on the analyses and recommendations provided in these reports.
White House Holds Meeting to Discuss Aluminum and Steel Trade Actions
President Trump and several Cabinet members hosted a meeting with congressional Republicans and Democrats on February 13, 2018 at the White House to discuss possible trade remedies in the Section 232 steel and aluminum investigations. The purpose of a Section 232 investigation is to determine the effect of imports on the national security of the…
Commerce Submits Report on Section 232 Aluminum Investigation
On January 19, the Department of Commerce submitted its Section 232 report to the White House on the national security implications of aluminum imports one business day ahead of its statutory deadline. The president now has 90 days from that date, January 19, to determine whether he agrees with the Commerce Department’s findings or will…
Department of Commerce Issues Memorandum on China’s Continued Nonmarket Economy Status
In support of its preliminary determination in the antidumping duty investigation of imports of aluminum foil from the People’s Republic of China, the Department of Commerce has released a 205-page memorandum finding that China continues to be considered a nonmarket economy (NME) country in trade remedy cases because it “does not operate sufficiently on market…
Commerce Issues Preliminary Determination in China Aluminum Foil Dumping Investigation
The Department of Commerce (Commerce) has announced its affirmative preliminary determination in the antidumping duty (AD) investigation of imports of aluminum foil from the People’s Republic of China (China). While the preliminary antidumping duty rates, ranging from 96 percent to more than 162 percent, will not be finalized by Commerce until late February 2018, Commerce…
Commerce Moves to Review China’s “Nonmarket Economy” Status
The Trump administration on April 3, 2017 issued a notice of initiation and request for public comment and information pertaining to whether the People’s Republic of China (PRC) should continue to be treated as a nonmarket economy (NME) country under the antidumping and countervailing duty laws. The notice in the Federal Register indicates that this…
