Will Section 232 be a Bombshell or a Bust? We’ll Know Soon

Anticipation is building over the Commerce Department’s Section 232 report, which is finally due to the White House in the next few days. Will its recommendations to the president on trade action to protect the national security prove to be a bombshell or a bust?

Proponents of new tariffs or quotas on steel imports have taken their case to the Twittersphere in recent days (where this particular president may well spot them). “If the flood of imports drives our steel producers out of business, the U.S. will become dangerously dependent on unreliable foreign suppliers for the steel that is critical to our national defense and infrastructure.  #AmericaSteelStrong,” posted the American Iron and Steel Institute. “It is the overall financial health of U.S. steel producers, and not simply the profitability of their defense business, that is essential to their ability to be reliable defense suppliers.” #AmericaSteelStrong,” tweeted ArcelorMittal, to cite just a couple of examples.