Trade Cases
Leibowitz on Trade: Update on Section 232 on Automotive
Written by Tim Triplett
July 19, 2018
Lewis Leibowitz, trade attorney and contributor to Steel Market Update, offers the following commentary on the latest developments in Washington:
Today, the Commerce Department is conducting a hearing on the self-initiated Section 232 investigation into imports of autos and auto parts. The U.S. auto industry is uniformly opposed to tariffs on autos and auto parts. However, the president seems to be in favor of them. Yesterday, the president threatened “tremendous retribution” if auto and auto parts trade is not balanced more in favor of the U.S. Some critics of the tariffs have referred to today’s hearing as a “show trial.” There are reports that the president has asked for a Commerce decision before the November mid-term elections.
Perspective
In addition to automotive, the national security statute is being invoked for a fourth time (this time on uranium imports into the U.S.) because it is the easiest statute for the president to invoke without congressional approval. Congress is taking steps to require congressional approval of import remedies. Last week, a non-binding Senate resolution called on the president to consult with Congress before imposing import remedies that would hurt American industries and consumers who rely on imports.
This may be the last national security investigation for a while—but that is not clear by any means. Combined with the Section 301 actions on China, the imposition of tariffs and quotas on imports we have become used to may become a thing of the past. There may be more such investigations into other allegedly unfair acts and practices by U.S. trading partners. The aim appears to drive trading partners to negotiate trade deals more to the administration’s liking. Failing that (and there is little evidence that our trading partners are ready to negotiate), the tariffs could ultimately remake global supply chains.
Lewis Leibowitz
The Law Office of Lewis E. Leibowitz
1400 16th Street, N.W.
Suite 350
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: (202) 776-1142
Fax: (202) 861-2924
Cell: (202) 250-1551
Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in Trade Cases
Leibowitz: Trump takes aim at trade with a tariff ‘punt gun’
The tariffs are intended to produce more investment and jobs in US manufacturing. But first, there will be a cosmic change, potentially wiping out millions of jobs in the short run. While administration officials will no doubt cringe at the comparison, it reminds me of the effort to undercut fossil fuels production to address climate change. Led by Democrats, the effort was to destroy fossil fuels so that renewable energy sources would have more space to grow. The result: inflation and electoral defeat in 2024.
Price: Expect new trade shocks as Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ tariff negotiations continue
President Trump cast a wide net with the proposed, reciprocal tariffs. The negotiating stage will be critical to determining the success of his strategy. And for those suffering tariff whiplash, don’t expect the pace of change to slow down just because the reciprocal tariffs are entering a negotiating phase.
SMU Survey: Less support seen for Trump tariff policies
Meanwhile, an increasing number think it's too early to say whether the penalties are going to bring more manufacturing to the US.
CRU: USW seeks exclusion for Canada from Trump’s tariffs
The union is also urging stronger enforcement against countries such as China which break trade rules, and a coordinated Canada-US strategy to protect union jobs across the North America
Price on trade: A lot happened last week – and it wasn’t all about tariffs
Should foreign investment be allowed to reshape the American steel Industry? Not to be lost in the recent on-again-off-again tariff frenzy, Nippon Steel’s proposed takeover of U.S. Steel has also found itself in President Trump’s crosshairs when it comes to trade and industrial policy. Nippon Steel initially announced its nearly $15-billion bid for U.S. Steel […]