Automotive News Quotes Bernd Janzen on Trump’s Trade Options

Automotive News has quoted Akin Gump international trade partner Bernd Janzen in the article “Complex trade map could tie Trump’s hands.” The article looks at the many factors that could affect President Trump’s ability to carry out his trade policies, including the China trade war; the pending trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada; bilateral trade deals with the European Union and Japan; and existing tariffs on steel and aluminum could all have consequences elsewhere.

“Legally, these are all distinct and separate tracks, but from [U.S. Trade Representative Robert] Lighthizer’s perspective, mission No. 1, far and away, is bringing China to heel. That is where he is putting his energy,” said Janzen. While automakers and their workers would be hurt by tariffs, a win on China, he said, could lead to “be a big round of applause all around, on the Hill, in a lot of U.S. industry. So, I think there’s a big difference in the pecking order.”

The article reports that the Commerce Department last month sent the White House its closely guarded investigative report on whether auto imports hurt national security. Many, it says, expect it will recommend tariffs, which President Trump previously suggested might be as high as 25 percent, along with other options.

Janzen, however, pointed out that Commerce officials sent auto producers detailed questionnaires about their operations but did not question parts makers, leading some to question the merits of that investigation.