Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref. :EIC 111/2/18
EIC 111/3
EIC 111/3/13

29 May 2018

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 515/2018

US : Initiation of National Security Investigation into Auto Imports

The US Department of Commerce (DOC) announced on 23 May 2018 the initiation of an investigation to determine whether imports of automobiles, including SUVs, vans and light trucks, and automotive parts into the US threaten to impair the national security as defined in Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

DETAILS

2.Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 authorizes the DOC to conduct investigations to determine the effect on the national security of the US of imports of any article by submitting a report with recommendations and advice for the consideration of the US President to take a range of actions in the form of imposition of tariffs, quotas or other restrictions. A notice will be published shortly in the US Federal Register announcing a hearing date and inviting comment from industry and the public to assist in the investigation.

3.For further details, please refer to the related press releases by the US White House and the DOC:

Press Release by the White House:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-potential-national-security-investigation-automobile-imports/

Press Release by the DOC:
https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2018/05/us-department-commerce-initiates-section-232-investigation-auto-imports

ENQUIRIES

4.For enquiries about the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at 3403 6099.

Yours faithfully,

(Jasper LAM)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry

Note: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.