U.S. legislators, Chamber of Commerce react to Trump auto tariff threat
On May 24, policymakers and powerful business groups criticized President Donald Trump's threatened tariffs on imported autos and auto parts into the U.S. on national security grounds, suggesting Trump is abusing his authority.
U.S. Senator Bob Corker, who serves as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and represents Tennessee, a state which has plants belonging to GM, Nissan and VW, said Trump is following "a dangerous course" by using a statute that protects national security to justify potential tariffs.
"This appears to be either an attempt to affect domestic politics ahead of the election or for some other transactional purpose regarding ongoing trade discussions," said Corker.
U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donahue said "This isn’t about national security. The administration has already signaled its true objective is to leverage this tariff threat in trade negotiations with Mexico, Canada, Japan, the European Union and South Korea."
On May 23, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who was asked by Trump to initiate an investigation into imported cars, trucks and auto parts, said he thought that the study will take months to complete.