What it is:
Section 232 gives the President of the United States the power to limit imports if they are found to threaten national security. The law directs the U.S. Department of Commerce to study whether certain imports harm domestic industries that are considered important for national defense or critical infrastructure. When the investigation is complete, the Department reports its findings to the President, who decides whether to impose tariffs, quotas, or other restrictions.

How it has been used:
Historically, Section 232 was rarely used. That changed in 2018 when President Trump relied on it to introduce 25 percent tariffs on imported steel and 10 percent tariffs on imported aluminum. These metals were chosen because U.S. policymakers argued that reliable access to them was essential for both defense and heavy manufacturing.

Since then, Section 232 has been deployed as a much broader tool, expanding the concept of national security. While the initial steel and aluminum tariffs remain, subsequent actions have included investigations into sectors like automobiles and auto parts, semiconductors, wind turbines, and pharmaceuticals. In these newer cases, the argument is that economic dependence on foreign suppliers could itself pose a security risk. The result is that Section 232 now functions as a general instrument for addressing import dependence in industries viewed as strategically important to the United States.

How it works:
When a Section 232 investigation begins, the Department of Commerce invites comments from companies, trade groups, and foreign governments. Businesses can explain how the proposed tariffs might affect them and may request specific exemptions.

If tariffs are imposed, affected companies can also seek a product exclusion, arguing that a specific item is not available domestically or is vital to their operations. Separately, companies can still seek relief through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection protest process or by filing challenges in U.S. courts. These reviews may lead to refunds or adjustments if it is determined that a product was wrongly included or exempted under later rulings.

Implications for international exporters:
For foreign producers, including Swedish firms that sell metals, vehicles, or industrial equipment to the United States, Section 232 tariffs can raise costs, reduce competitiveness, and create uncertainty about long-term access to the market. These measures also serve as significant leverage in bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations. Even when tariffs target other regions, they can shift global supply chains and influence prices worldwide.