May 23, 2018
Today I met with Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to discuss the current state of our automobile industry. I instructed Secretary Ross to consider initiating a section 232 investigation into imports of automobiles, including trucks, and automotive parts to determine their effects on America's national security. Core industries such as automobiles and automotive parts are critical to our strength as a Nation.
NOTE: The statement referred to section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended.
Donald J. Trump, Statement on the Effects of Automobile Imports on National Security Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/333053