In 2025, President Trump expanded and increased existing steel and aluminum tariffs, imposed since 2018 under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. §1862). Section 232 authorizes the President to impose trade restrictions if the Secretary of Commerce determines that imports of a good “threaten to i…

In 2025, President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on U.S. imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. §1862). Section 232 authorizes the President to take action (e.g., tariffs, quotas, or negotiations) if the Secretary of Commerce determines th…

Congress has constitutional authority over foreign commerce and tariffs, a power it has partially delegated to the President. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. §1862) authorizes the President to take action if the Secretary of Commerce determines that imports of a good threaten U.S. national se…

Title III of the Trade Act of 1974 (Sections 301-310, 19 U.S.C. §§2411-2420), titled “Relief from Unfair Trade Practices,” is often collectively referred to as “Section 301.” Under Section 301, Congress grants the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) a range of responsibilities and authorities to in…

Amid growing global demand for critical minerals, Congress has been deliberating how to secure U.S. access to such goods. The United States has become highly reliant on foreign imports of critical minerals, and Members of Congress have expressed interest in both encouraging U.S. production capacity, through measures s…