Even During a Shutdown... U.S. Says "Tariff Investigations Will Not Stop"

Department of Commerce Announces "Orderly Shutdown Plan"
Investigations to Continue Under National Security Rationale

The Donald Trump administration has announced that it will continue national security investigations aimed at imposing tariffs, even during a federal government shutdown (temporary suspension of government work).

Reuters Yonhap News

According to Bloomberg News, the U.S. Department of Commerce stated in its "Orderly Shutdown Plan" released on the 29th (local time) that it will continue "work necessary to address the impact of imports on national security."

Under the previous plan, if Congress did not approve additional spending by the 30th of this month, the Department of Commerce said it would continue the investigations using remaining funds. Bloomberg pointed out, "(This plan) differs subtly from the previous plan, which called for continuing the investigations with unused funds."

While the previous plan specifically mentioned using the remaining budget to continue investigations and work, the new plan takes a broader and more flexible approach, emphasizing national security and stating that "necessary investigations will continue."

Bloomberg explained that by invoking national security as justification for the investigations, the administration is able to continue investigations under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. Section 232 allows the administration to impose tariffs on goods that have a significant impact on national security, and President Trump has used this provision as the basis for imposing tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper, automobiles, and auto parts.

Currently, the Department of Commerce is reviewing the impact of imports such as lumber, semiconductors, critical minerals, aircraft, jet engines, unmanned aerial systems, polysilicon, and wind turbines on national security.

If the U.S. Supreme Court invalidates the application of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which the Trump administration has used as the basis for imposing reciprocal tariffs on other countries, the importance of Section 232 investigations under the Trade Expansion Act is expected to grow even further.