Bipartisan Bill Would Require Commerce to Publish Section 232 Findings
Sens. Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, introduced a bill to publish the findings of Section 232 investigations within 270 days, or when the report is sent to the president, whichever is sooner. The report would be posted to the Federal Register, though business confidential information would continue to be kept confidential.
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In a press release published May 22, the two said the legislation comes as the Commerce Department "has launched a record number of investigations to justify imposing high, sweeping tariffs. ... However, the Department has not released the findings of these investigations, providing little transparency or rationale to justify the broad tariffs."
The secrecy around the Section 232 auto report in the first Trump term, even though he did not impose tariffs or quotas at that time, rankled senators as well, and former Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., inserted instructions to release the report in another bill.
"Tariffs, when used in a targeted way against our adversaries like China, can be a helpful tool to advance U.S. economic and national security interests. But Michigan workers, consumers, manufacturers, and small businesses deserve transparency and clarity when the government imposes sweeping, chaotic tariffs that could significantly impact their lives and livelihoods," Peters said in the release.
Collins said, "Tariff decisions have significant consequences for Maine businesses, workers, and consumers, and the public should not be left in the dark about the reasoning behind them."
The 270-day deadline is in the current law, that's when BIS must send its conclusions to the president.