The Trump administration says imposing tariffs on Chinese goods is to protect American national security and intellectual property. But is that really the case?

The White House says Chinese steel and Aluminum products could be targeted by tariffs of 25 percent and 10 percent respectively. The White House alleges they jeopardize national security as per Clause 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Tariffs related to intellectual property are based in Clause 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

The White House says tariffs on Chinese steel are being put in place because steel affects national security. In 2006, the US imported nearly five and a half million tons of steel. While in 2017, that number dropped 78 percent to just over 1 million tons.  

An article from Bloomberg says national security is a good reason for protection, but not in the case of steel and Aluminum. For example, China ranked 11th for the amount of steel imported to the US, yet the US mentioned the country over 200 times in its report. Canada ranks as the number one importer of steel to the US, but it is only mentioned 24 times in the report. Regardless, there will be a 25% tariff on Chinese steel, while Canada is exempt from steel tariffs.