Trade & Tariffs
Section 232
A trade statute letting the President impose tariffs on imports deemed a threat to national security.
Also known as: Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, National Security Tariffs
- What it is
- Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 authorizes tariffs or quotas on imports found to threaten national security after a Commerce Department investigation. It is the legal basis used for metals and other strategic-goods tariffs. The President decides remedies.
- How it moves markets
- A Section 232 investigation is an early signal that tariffs may hit a specific product category, giving investors lead time to position in domestic producers. The final proclamation sets rates and exemptions. It concentrates impact on national-security-linked goods like metals.
- Track record
- Section 232 metals tariffs boosted domestic steel and aluminum producers while raising costs for downstream users.
- Who it affects
- Domestic metals producers like NUE, STLD, X, AA, CENX.
- Related terms
- tariff, section-301, buy-american
- Common misread
- Country and product exemptions can gut the impact; assuming a blanket tariff ignores the carve-outs that follow.
- Watch out for
- Investigations can run months before any tariff, so timing the trade is difficult.
General information, not medical advice. Ingredient effects vary by formulation, concentration, and skin. Patch-test new actives and consult a qualified provider before starting prescription ingredients.
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