Senators Propose Subjecting Section 232 Tariffs to Congressional Approval

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation on June 6 that would require congressional approval for the imposition of Section 232 tariffs.

The Trump administration has imposed a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports, arguing that the levies are needed for national security reasons and are, thus, authorized under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

The recently introduced bill (S. 3013) would give lawmakers the final say on such tariffs.

“While we all agree on the need to ensure the international trade system is fair for American workers, companies and consumers, unfortunately, the administration is abusing the Section 232 authority delegated to the president by Congress,” said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., the sponsor of the legislation. “Making claims regarding national security to justify what is inherently an economic question not only harms the very people we all want to help and impairs relations with our allies but also could invite our competitors to retaliate.”

In addition to Corker, the bill has 13 cosponsors – eight Republicans and five Democrats.

Courtesy: AIIS