Closing In 10 Days: Comment Period For Section 232 Metals Tariffs Exclusion Program

As its member companies are aware, the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) submitted comments to the Trump administration in 2017 supporting Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum, calling for exemptions for products from Canada and Mexico and consideration of the impact on downstream demand (Click here to read the submitted comments for both steel products, and aluminum.)

Those tariffs now have been in place for two years, and now the department wants feedback on how the exclusion process for the program is working.

On May 22, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced that it is seeking comments from the public regarding “how to improve the exclusion process for” the steel and aluminum penalties. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the department is “continually looking for ways to improve the exclusion process” because it wants “these critical national security measures to be applied effectively while avoiding unnecessary impacts on downstream American industries.”

The BIS is seeking input on a number of topics, including the appropriateness of the information requested and considered in applying the exclusion criteria and the process employed in rendering decisions on requests for exclusions. It will accept comment submissions from May 26, 2020 through July 10, 2020.

Comments may be submitted through www.regulations.gov using the identification number BIS-2020-0012. Commenters should refer to RIN 0694-XC058 in all comments and in the subject line of comments that are emailed to BIS. Rebuttal comments will be accepted until August 10, 2020 and should only address issues raised in comments filed on or before July 10, 2020.

Please note: Connecting the Dots offers the following news for its members’ information only. MSCI has not taken a position on the exclusion process.