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.

(Generated with the help of GPT-4)

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)

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Last modified: 2024/07/18 20:58 by elizabethherfel