On May 17, 2019, President Trump announced his Administration’s determination that U.S. imports of automobiles and certain automotive parts threaten to impair U.S. national security. Under Sec. 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. § 1862, as amended), this determination gives the President broad authority to respond to the threat, including potentially imposing unilateral import restrictions. The President is seeking a negotiated solution, instructing the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to reach agreements with Japan and the European Union (EU) to address the threat. The USTR is to report on its progress within 180 days.
[To view the original report, click here]
Copyright© 2019 Congressional Research Service. All rights reserved.