America’s new tariff crisis in the name of national security!

After the US Supreme Court’s decision regarding tariffs, America is preparing to impose heavy tariffs (import duties) on some new products. These products may include sectors such as large batteries, cast iron, plastic pipes, industrial chemicals, power grids and telecom equipment.

If the US imposes new “national security” tariffs, it could impact countries like India, especially on exports of metals, chemicals and industrial components, as these are part of the global supply chain.

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, these tariffs can be imposed under Section 232, a provision of the Trade Act of 1962. This provision allows the President to impose tariffs on imports in the name of “national security.”

The Financial Daily reported that these would be separate from the new global 15 percent tariff, which Trump has proposed to remain in place for five months.

Section 232 has previously been used to impose tariffs on steel, aluminium, copper, cars and auto parts. It is not yet clear when the new investigation will begin and when the tariffs will be implemented.

Section 232 requires a lengthy investigation, although once tariffs are implemented, duties can be changed unilaterally.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai said, “Protecting America’s national and economic security remains President Trump’s top priority, and the Administration is committed to using every legal authority to accomplish this.”

Recently, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to eliminate most of Trump’s second term tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. According to the media, Section 232 tariffs have not been discussed in the decision.

US courts and trading partners are repeatedly investigating trade policies under the Trump government. His earlier tariffs on steel and aluminum had triggered retaliation from many countries, including India.