Section 232
trade. Also Section 232 tariffs
Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. 1862), which lets the President restrict imports, for example with tariffs, after a Commerce Department investigation finds that they threaten national security; Congress need not approve. It has been used for tariffs on steel, aluminium, vehicles and parts, copper, timber and other goods. Tariffs imposed under it were not affected by the Supreme Court’s February 2026 ruling against tariffs under IEEPA.12
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Sources
- Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (IF13006). Congressional Research Service (via EveryCRSReport), 2026-09-02. Official
- Section 232 Investigations: Overview and Issues for Congress (R45249). Congressional Research Service (via EveryCRSReport). Official
