Peters Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Transparency of Trump Tariffs for Michigan Businesses and Consumers

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen transparency requirements for tariff investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Section 232 Public Transparency Act would require the Secretary of Commerce to publish summaries of its investigations examining alleged national security risks tied to imports of certain goods. Peters' legislation comes as the Trump Administration has launched a record number of investigations to justify imposing high, sweeping tariffs without releasing the findings of these investigations and providing little transparency or rationale to justify these broad tariffs. This Administration's chaotic approach to tariffs have affected numerous industries that are critical to Michigan's economy, including our manufacturing sector, and have raised prices for consumers.

"Tariffs, when used in a targeted way against our adversaries like China, can be a helpful tool to advance U.S. economic and national security interests. But Michigan workers, consumers, manufacturers, and small businesses deserve transparency and clarity when the government imposes sweeping, chaotic tariffs that could significantly impact their lives and livelihoods," said Senator Peters. "This commonsense, bipartisan legislation would ensure the Administration follows the law and publicly shares the rationale behind these tariff decisions."

Under current law, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) must complete Section 232 investigations within 270 days and provide findings to the President. The law also requires the Commerce Department to publish a summary of the investigation in the Federal Register, excluding classified information. However, the Trump Administration has not publicly released summaries for any completed Section 232 investigations. Peters' bill would clarify the existing law to explicitly require the Commerce Department to publish summary reports by the time the findings are submitted to the President.

Peters has repeatedly spoken out against the Trump Administration's chaotic tariff policy, including during a speech on the Senate floorlast year. In September 2025, Peters cosponsored the Small Business RELIEF Act to exempt small businesses in Michigan and across the country from President Trump's global baseline reciprocal tariffs and provide refunds to the small businesses that were forced to pay them. Peters also sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick demanding that he immediately work with the President to reverse tariffs for small businesses. During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Peters also pressed U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the tariff policies' impacts on Michigan workers and manufacturers, specifically questioning Greer on the Administration's tariffs on Canada, Michigan's largest trading partner.

Peters visited Walker Tool & Die in Grand Rapids last year to discuss the impact of President Trump's tariffs on West Michigan manufacturers. During the listening session, Peters heard directly from manufacturers and workers in the region about how Michigan companies are navigating the tariff policies and what policies would better foster economic success.

###

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Tweet