Protectionism or National Security? The Use and Abuse of Section 232
This report examines the misuse of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 by the Trump administration to impose protectionist tariffs under the guise of national security.
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| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Report location: | source |
| Language: | English |
| Publisher: | CATO Institute |
| Authors: | Inu Manak, Scott Lincicome |
| Geographic focus: | United States |
Methods
The research method involved analyzing the use of Section 232 during the Trump administration, assessing the economic impact of the tariffs imposed, and evaluating the legal and procedural aspects of the statute's application. The report also considers the potential direction of the Biden administration regarding trade policy and Section 232.
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Key Insights
The report scrutinizes the Trump administration's use of Section 232 to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, arguing that it was an abuse of power for protectionist purposes rather than genuine national security concerns. It highlights the lack of a clear definition of “national security” in the statute, procedural shortcuts taken by the administration, and the defiance of Congress's oversight role. The report suggests that President Biden should avoid using Section 232 and support congressional efforts to rein in presidential power over trade policy.
(Generated with the help of GPT-4)
Additional Viewpoints
Categories: English publication language | United States geographic scope | biden administration | congressional oversight | economic impact | legal analysis | national security | presidential power | protectionism | section 232 | tariffs | trade policy