Seeking Changes to Federal Section 232 Tariff Policy

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation that would change trade and tariff policy. This bill would tighten the rules for Section 232 tariffs, giving the Department of Defense the authority to investigate national security threats. It also gives Congress a larger role in the Section 232 tariff policy. The current national security tariff process was used to impose duties on imports of steel and aluminum, which resulted in retaliation against U.S. agricultural products. Ohio Senator Rob Portman, who is a former U.S. trade representative, said the current Section 232 process is being misused.