Feds launch probe of truck imports’ effect on truck prices, national security

After the notice is published in the Federal Register, scheduled for Friday, the department is giving the public 21 days to comment on the investigation.

The Trump administration is particularly interested in:

• Current and projected demand for trucks and truck parts in the U.S.
• The extent to which domestic production of trucks and truck parts can meet domestic demand.
• The role of foreign supply chains, particularly of major exporters, in meeting U.S. demand for trucks and truck parts.
• The concentration of U.S. imports of trucks and truck parts from a small number of suppliers and the associated risks.
• The impact of foreign government subsidies and predatory trade practices on the competitiveness of the medium- and heavy-duty truck industry in the U.S.
• The economic impact of artificially suppressed prices of trucks and truck parts due to foreign unfair trade practices and state-sponsored overproduction.
• The potential for export restrictions by foreign nations, including the ability of foreign nations to weaponize their control over supplies of trucks and truck parts.
• The feasibility of increasing domestic capacity for trucks and truck parts to reduce import reliance.
• The impact of current trade policies on domestic production of trucks and truck parts, and whether additional measures, including tariffs or quotas, are necessary to protect national security.

Related articles:

• Lawmakers grill US trade official on tariffs’ impact on auto supply chains
• New rule on low-value imports raises cross-border trucking concerns
• US opening investigation into container shipping choke points

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