Press Releases

Congressman French Hill (AR-02) made the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s announcement on tariffs for aluminum and steel as a result of the Department of Commerce’s Section 232 Investigations:  

“Hardworking Arkansans and Americans are reaping the benefits of tax reform with record low unemployment, bonuses, and more money in their wallets. While I respect President Trump’s decision to protect American interests, I remain concerned with the unintended consequences that his proposed tariffs on aluminum and steel could have – especially on Arkansas’s workers and employers. Tokusen U.S.A. in Conway, Arkansas, a company primarily in the business of manufacturing steel tire cord, will be negatively affected if the proposed across-the-board tariffs are implemented, stating that it would be ‘catastrophic’ for their business. That’s why today, 106 of my colleagues and I urged the President to address distortions caused by China’s unfair trade practices in a targeted way that doesn’t include sweeping tariffs that could backfire if the ultimate goal is to help American workers and employers.”

Read the letter here.

Background:

Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 affords the president broad powers in determining whether certain imports have a negative effect on the country’s national security. First, the secretary of the Department of Commerce must present the president with a report and recommendations on the import in question within 270 days of launching an investigation. Then, the president has 90 days to act.

Last April, President Trump issued two Presidential Memorandums to Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. directing the Department of Commerce to initiate two Section 232 investigations into the impact of aluminum and steel imports on national security.

During the investigations the Department of Commerce examined:

• Whether aluminum or steel imports impair the ability of the domestic aluminum industry to meet U.S. national defense needs.
• Whether aluminum or steel imports have any substantial effects on employment or government revenue.
• Whether aluminum or steel imports weaken the U.S. internal economy, recognizing the close relationship between economic welfare and national security.