The following statement is attributed to Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Technology Association (CTA), regarding Senator Rob Portman’s (R-OH) Section 232 reform bill, the Trade Security Act:
“Small- and medium-sized businesses are facing unprecedented challenges with America’s latest trade policies – and now their backs are against the wall. At the same time, Congress has limited tools to dispute President Trump’s unfounded claim of ‘national security’ to levy tariffs that are hurting American business and consumers.
“Specifically, the Trade Security Act would split the current Section 232 process into an investigation phase – led by the Department of Defense – in order to justify the national security basis for new Section 232 tariffs. The bill also would expand the congressional process to disapprove of a Section 232 action.
“Senator Portman is uniquely qualified as a former United States Trade Representative to address targeted reforms that set clear guidelines on the president’s misuse of his authority pertaining to trade.”