Trade Cases
Cabinet Members 'Pushing Back' Against Commerce, Section 232 Remedies
Written by John Packard
June 18, 2017
On Friday afternoon, Steel Market Update learned the U.S. Department of Commerce Section 232 briefings with Capitol Hill on steel remedies scheduled for Friday were cancelled. The reason for the cancellation, according to World Trade Online, was the lack of progress within the administration on its approach to the issue.
The briefing was to have been held with the Senate Finance and House Ways & Means committees. This is the second cancellation of the briefing, which was originally scheduled for Monday, June 12.
World Trade Online is reporting cabinet members and senior economic advisers “…expressed concern with the scope of the effort, as well as its potential impact on the U.S. economy.”
The briefing just cancelled has not been rescheduled.
World Trade Online sources are reporting Commerce has not yet completed its analysis and “there is still work to do.” Much of that work includes providing “substantive responses” to questions that are being asked with the DOC, as well as with other agencies.
“The source added that the final report to the president on the investigation could still come next week, but that the internal disagreements would have to be settled first.”
President Trump has been promising “major legislation” on steel and aluminum. A World Trade Online source told them the Trump administration is respecting the “oversight authority” that Congress has on the Section 232 process, and it is most likely that the recommendations would not include any legislation for Congress to consider.
John Packard
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