US Department of Commerce to Initiate Section 232 Investigation into Imports of Laminations and Wound Cores for Incorporation into Transformers, Electrical Transformers and Transformer Regulators

On May 4, 2020, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that he was initiating an investigation into whether laminations for stacked cores for incorporation into transformers, stacked and wound cores for incorporation into transformers, electrical transformers and transformer regulators are being imported into the United States in quantities or under circumstances that threaten national security. The decision to launch an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, follows inquiries and requests from multiple members of Congress as well as industry stakeholders.

“The Department of Commerce will conduct a thorough, fair and transparent review to determine the effects on the national security from imports of laminations for stacked cores for incorporation into transformers, stacked and wound cores for incorporation into transformers, electrical transformers, and transformer regulators,” said Secretary Ross.

According to the US Department of Commerce, transformers are part of the US energy infrastructure and an assured domestic supply of transformers and critical transformer components enables the United States to respond to large power disruptions affecting civilian populations, critical infrastructure and US defense industrial production capabilities.

The investigation, to be conducted by the Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, will provide an opportunity for public comment.