THOMPSON COBURN TRADE ALERT – IMPORTS
HEADLINE	Notice of Request for Public Comments on Section 232 National Security Investigation of Imports of Semiconductors and Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment
DATE	April 16, 2025
AGENCY	Department of Commerce; Trump Administration
EFFECTIVE DATES	Deadline to Submit Comments in Docket No. 250414-0066 – May 7, 2025 (21 Days after Publication Date)
BACKGROUND	On April 1, 2025, the Trump Administration directed the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a 232 investigation into semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment (“SME”), and their derivative products to determine whether such imports impair the national security of the United States.
DETAILS	The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking written comments, data, and information related to the national security impacts of semiconductors, SME, and their derivative products.   The Department is specifically interested in receiving comments and information regarding the following areas: • Current and future demand for semiconductors (including as embedded in downstream products) and SME differentiated by product type and node size • Ability of domestic production of semiconductors at each node size for each product type, and production of SME to meet demand • Role of foreign supply chains, particularly from major exporters, in meeting U.S. demands • Concentration of U.S. semiconductors imports (including as embedded in downstream products) and SME imports from a small number of suppliers and the associated risks • Impact of foreign government subsidies, overcapacity, and predatory trade practices on domestic industry competitiveness • Impact of low semiconductor and SME prices due to unfair trade practices and state-sponsored overproduction • Risks from potential export restrictions by foreign nations • Feasibility of expanding domestic semiconductor (in different product types and node sizes) and SME production to reduce dependence on imports • Impact of current trade policies on domestic semiconductor and SME production and whether additional measures, including tariffs or quotas, are necessary to protect national security • What product types and node sizes could be built only using SME from U.S. companies • What SME is manufactured abroad and faces limited competition from U.S.-made products • What SME parts or components are only available outside the United States • Where domestic workforce faces a talent gap in production of semiconductors, SME, or SME components   Please refer to the Notice linked below for filing instructions. Comments can be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov, ID: BIS-2025-0021, and all comments should refer to XRIN 0694-XC121
BASIS	Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962; part 705 of the National Security Industrial Base Regulations (15 CFR parts 700 through 709)
CITE	Federal Register: Notice of Request for Public Comments on Section 232 National Security Investigation of Imports of Semiconductors and Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment

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