Bipartisan Bill on Section 232 Tariffs Introduced

Two Southern states senators introduced their bill on Section 232 tariffs while the president was talking to the European Union about threatened auto tariffs. The Automotive Jobs Act of 2018 requires the International Trade Commission "to conduct a comprehensive study of the well-being, health, and vitality of the United States automotive industry before tariffs could be applied." The bill is co-sponsored by Tennessee Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander and Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala. Both have significant auto plants in their states.

Unlike the bipartisan attempts led by Sen. Bob Corker (R), the other Tennessee senator, this bill does not constrain the president, it merely delays his plans to wield a tariff before the midterm elections. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, is also working on a bill that would address auto tariffs (see 1807130019). According to a Senate Republican trade aide, that bill would be filibusterable but not amendable. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has resisted introducing a bill that would constrain the president on tariffs, assuming that he would veto it and meaning it would be an empty exercise. The aide said, "You probably do have super-majorities to override a veto in an auto tariff."