Auto Import Tariff Hearing Shortened

Monday, July 16, 2018
Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report

The Department of Commerce has canceled plans to hold a second day of hearings July 20 in its Section 232 investigation of whether imports of automobiles, including SUVs, vans, and light trucks, and auto parts are harming U.S. national security. The DOC states that only 45 requests to testify at this hearing have been received and that they all can be accommodated on July 19.

The DOC has up to 270 days to conclude a section 232 investigation and submit its report and recommendations to the president. A department press release notes that information from the upcoming hearing and the more than 2,300 public comments submitted on this issue, in addition to rebuttal comments, will be considered in reaching a final determination, which “will be based on facts and the statutory requirements.”

If the DOC finds that excessive foreign automobile and auto parts imports are a threat to U.S. national security, and the president concurs, the president has the authority to adjust imports, including through the use of tariffs and quotas. Any such actions would be imposed within 15 days of the president’s determination to act.

For more information on this section 232 investigation and how it may affect your business, please contact Kristen Smith at (202) 730-4965 or David Craven at (312) 279-2844.

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