Democrat Coalition Presses for Release of Section 232 Report on Auto Tariffs

Members of the New Democrat Coalition Trade Task Force are outraged that the report for the Section 232 investigation into auto imports has not been released and that the threat of tariffs continues to create economic uncertainty. The results of the investigation were submitted to President Trump in February 2019, but the report was never presented to Congress or the public, as required by the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and by a provision for its release that was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal 2019. The Appropriations Act provision, requiring release of the report by Jan.19, 2020, was ignored by the administration.

“American autoworkers, part suppliers and retailers, dealers, vehicle service providers, and millions of consumers have lived under the threat of tariffs since you initiated the Section 232 investigation into auto imports on May 23, 2018,” stated the Coalition in a letter last week to President Trump, copied to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.