Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. § 1862) authorizes the President to adjust imports — through tariffs, quotas, or other restrictions — when the Commerce Department finds that imports of a specific article threaten to impair U.S. national security. Commerce has 270 days to investigate and report; the President then has 90 days to act.
The most consequential Section 232 actions:
- Steel and aluminum (2018) — Proclamation 9705 imposed a 25% tariff on steel and 10% on aluminum imports from most countries. Several trading partners negotiated quotas or exemptions (Argentina, Brazil, South Korea, EU, UK, Japan).
- Derivative steel and aluminum (2020 and 2025) — Extended Section 232 duties to downstream products like nails, staples, and aluminum cable. In 2025, the duties were doubled to 50% and the country-specific quotas eliminated.
- Automobiles and auto parts (2025) — A 25% tariff imposed on passenger vehicles, light trucks, and core auto parts under Proclamation 10908, with USMCA-qualifying content credited.
Section 232 duties are reported under Chapter 99 — typically the 9903.80, 9903.81, and 9903.85 subheading ranges — on top of the underlying Chapter 1–97 rate. They are non-refundable in foreign trade zones (privileged foreign status locks in the rate) and apply regardless of USMCA preference.
Unlike Section 301, Section 232 has no general exclusion process today — Commerce ended the product exclusion portal in 2025. Limited exemptions remain available only through formal agency action.