Senator Portman believes we must hold countries that violate our trade laws accountable, but we must do so in a way that protects American jobs and strengthens the U.S. economy.  Earlier this month, Portman introduced legislation called the Trade Security Act, which will reform the tariff process under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and increase congressional oversight.  In keeping with the original intent of Section 232, this bill makes common-sense reforms that require the Department of Defense, rather than the Department of Commerce, to justify the national security basis for new Section 232 tariffs. This reform addresses concerns that misuse of the law will harm jobs and the economy and likely result in a loss of this trade remedy tool.  The bill has been endorsed by the Wall Street Journal editorial board and garnered praise from Ohio and national business groups who view the legislation as a common-sense solution for preserving this important tool while reserving it for genuine national security threats. Below is a sampling of the continued support: 

• Andrew E. Doehrel, President & CEO, Ohio Chamber of Commerce: “Trade is important to Ohio’s economy and we thank Senator Portman for his leadership in introducing the Trade Security Act. This bipartisan legislation will help ensure that our trade laws are appropriately upheld in order to protect Ohio businesses and the jobs they create. We are grateful for Senator Portman’s continued commitment to protecting our fair and free trade laws.” 

• Eric Burkland, President, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association: “The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association supports Senator Portman’s Trade Security Act because it makes important and timely reforms to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. This legislation would protect Section 232 so that it can be used in circumstances where there is a genuine national security threat. Manufacturing is practically synonymous with Ohio, and trade actions that disrupt supply chains and invite foreign retaliation that close markets only make it harder for companies and workers to partake in and build the state’s industrial economy. We appreciate Senator Portman’s continued leadership and believe the Trade Security Act is a welcome development in the trade policy conversation.” 

• Pat Tiberi, President and CEO, Ohio Business Roundtable: “As the former chairman of the House Subcommittee on Trade, I was honored to work with Senator Portman on trade policies to grow Ohio’s economy by opening up new markets for Ohio businesses and manufacturers while ensuring a level playing field with our foreign competitors.  In that spirit, the Trade Security Act is a common-sense approach to making sure that decisions impacting trade policy are rationally determined by the appropriate Department.  If a trade issue represents a threat to national security, it is only common-sense that the Department of Defense should make that determination.  I thank Senator Portman for continued leadership on this issue and for his tireless advocacy on behalf of Ohio job creators.”  

• Adam Sharp, Executive Vice President, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation: “Fair and open trade is crucial to Ohio’s farmers and rural communities. Sen. Portman’s track record demonstrates that he appreciates the significance of maintaining our world markets. We thank him for his long-standing and continued attention to these important issues.” 

• Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce: “The U.S. Chamber applauds the introduction of the Trade Security Act, and we appreciate that these senators have chosen to take a leadership role on this important issue at a crucial time. The business community was encouraged by news of new trade talks with EU and the resumption of dialogue to modernize NAFTA, but concerns remain about the inappropriate use of damaging tariffs against our closest allies and best customers. As new tariffs against automobiles and auto parts are being considered, this proposal to reaffirm Congress’s exclusive constitutional authority to regulate foreign trade is a welcome development.”  

• Joshua Bolten, President & CEO of the Business Roundtable: “Business Roundtable supports Senator Portman’s legislation as it furthers the important goal of preventing misuse of Section 232 to restrict trade inappropriately. Section 232 is intended to be used to combat real national security threats – not as an excuse to raise blanket tariffs on other countries. Senator Portman’s legislation would help ensure that 232 actions are taken only in cases of legitimate national security concern, preserving this important tool while also boosting accountability and Congress’ role in the Section 232 process. Business Roundtable appreciates the leadership of Senator Portman and other members of Congress who share our goal of protecting America’s economy from the harm of unjustified restrictions on free and fair trade.” 

• Mitch Bainwol, President & CEO of the Auto Alliance: “The Auto Alliance appreciates the efforts of Senators Portman, Jones and Ernst to clarify Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 by ensuring this critical statute is utilized as Congress intended – to safeguard our national security.  And while it is essential that the President maintain the authority to invoke any necessary measures to protect our national interests, recent actions to propose costly tariffs on imported autos and auto parts – in the name of national security – underscore the need for Congressional oversight.  Raising auto tariffs would undermine our nation’s economic security and thereby, our national security.  By shifting the investigative authority to the Department of Defense and giving Congress the ability to review any actions, this balanced approach upholds key national security interests while providing key safeguards.  We thank Senators Portman, Jones and Ernst for introducing this timely legislation and stand ready to help move it through the legislative process.”   

• Governor Matt Blunt, President, American Automotive Policy Council: “Senator Portman has been a leader in supporting U.S. auto manufacturers and ensuring a level playing field for their exports.  We support his legislation to improve the 232 investigations process.  We look forward to working with Senator Portman and others to ensure the continuing resurgence of the U.S. auto industry.” 

• Cody Lusk, President & CEO of the American International Automobile Dealers Association: “AIADA appreciates this thoughtful and vital legislation from Senators Portman, Jones, and Ernst.  Preventing the misuse of Section 232 tariffs as a blunt negotiating tactic is crucial to both our national and economic security. Small businesses, like dealerships, are not national security threats – treating them as such threatens hundreds of thousands of American jobs, billions of dollars in auto sales and repairs, and auto investment here in the U.S.”  

• John Bozzella, President and CEO of Global Automakers and Spokesperson for Here For America: “Here For America applauds the introduction of legislation by Senators Portman, Jones and Ernst to fix the misuse of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.  The bill includes two commonsense reforms: First, it requires the Department of Defense to affirmatively determine that the importation of a certain product threatens to impair the national security of the United States before the Department of Commerce can recommend ways to address the threat.  Second, the bill provides for Congressional oversight to ensure the appropriate checks and balances are in place to protect the U.S. economy and American jobs.  Providing a role for Congress to ensure that Section 232 is used as intended is a big step in the right direction.” 

• Edward B. Cohen, Vice President, Government & Industry Relations, Honda North America, Inc.: “We share your belief that Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 should be used strategically and selectively and in cases where there is a true national security threat.  We are concerned that the recent use of Section 232 is being employed beyond its original intent, leading to retaliatory tariffs and trade wars that could negatively impact the auto industry throughout the United States and ultimately, affect the country’s economic security.  Therefore, we support the Trade Security Act, which returns appropriate authority to Congress in setting trade policy.” 

• Ann Wilson, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association: “The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association applauds a bipartisan congressional effort to reform the process of using national security to impose tariffs on materials and products essential to the competitiveness of U.S. companies. The legislation, introduced by Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) calls for common-sense fixes to the Section 232 provision that currently allows the President of the United States to unilaterally impose tariffs citing national security … MEMA has warned that these tariffs prevent or encumber motor vehicle parts suppliers’ ability to obtain certain types of steel and aluminum and will jeopardize production of critical products made for the U.S. defense industry and destabilize a growing U.S. manufacturing job base … The legislation proposed by Senators Portman, Jones, and Ernst will protect companies throughout the supply chain that rely on imported goods. These fixes, including additional congressional oversight and more responsibility for the Department of Defense are appropriate, and we congratulate these legislators for their efforts to remedy this problem.” 

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