US President declares imported vehicles and parts a ‘threat’ to national security
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U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday declared that some imported vehicles and parts pose a national security threat but delayed a decision for as long as six months on whether to impose tariffs to allow for more time for trade talks with the European Union and Japan.
Reuters report that the designation of foreign vehicles imported to the United States from some of its closest allies sparked anger from automakers, dealers and foreign governments after a White House document hinted it would seek voluntary export quotas on autos from U.S. trading partners.
But is it a matter of national security?
On February, the US Commerce Department presented the president with a report arguing that foreign automobile imports represented a threat to US national security. A White House press release on the president’s Friday proclamation made repeated mention of the issue of national security throughout.
Calling the president’s action “historic,” the statement made clear that US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will lead trade negotiations with foreign manufacturers and the president will “determine what further action needs to be taken” if an agreement cannot be reached within 180 days.
DW reports EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malstrom also took umbrage with US national security claims, tweeting, “we completely reject the notion that our car exports are a national security threat.” Like Altmaier, she signaled a willingness to negotiate an agreement including cars, “but not WTO-illegal managed trade.”
