Once again, auto tariffs have made the news. This time, it involves the Cause of Action Institute (CoA), the Department of Commerce , and a lawsuit. The lawsuit, at the request of the CoA, is in response to an information request that the Department of Commerce did not release. Originally, the CoA requested a copy of Commerce Secretary’s final report to the President regarding the Section 232 investigation.

“Commerce claims that the information contained in their report justifies the proposed auto-tariffs, but the government refuses to release this report. The public should not have to take the government’s word that the report supports tariffs when the administration withholds the document it claims support its position. The tariffs will harm American consumers and businesses, and the public has a right to see the information contained in the report. We are dedicated to placing this vital information into the public sphere, ensuring that the government complies with its statutory obligations, and we look forward to a robust debate about the merits of the report,” said James Valvo, counsel and senior policy advisor at Cause of Action Institute.

This request occurred on two occasions, with the Department of Commerce stating it wouldn’t release the report to the public. Now the CoA is fighting in the name of transparency by holding the Department of Commerce accountable for not releasing the report within the statutory time-frame.