US Begin Section 232 Probe
on Anthracite Coal even as it Boasts Huge Internal Reserves of the Black Gold
[ABS
News Service/03.07.2026]
The
Commerce Department has launched a Section 232 national security investigation
on imports of anthracite coal, a move that could lead to the imposition of
tariffs.
In
an announcement scheduled to appear in Monday’s Federal Register, Commerce said
there are reasons to believe that anthracite coal imports could be a danger to
US national security.
The
investigation is primarily focused on anthracite coal and metallurgical bituminous
coal products that are considered critical materials for domestic steel
production and industrial processes, including their role as derivative
articles of steel for potential coverage under Section 232 tariffs.
Commerce
said it is seeking public comments that address the following issues:
·
the
current and projected demand for anthracite coal in the United States;
·
the
extent to which domestic production of anthracite coal can meet domestic
demand;
·
the
role of foreign supply chains, particularly of major exporters, in meeting
United States demand for anthracite coal;
·
the
concentration of US imports of anthracite from a small number of suppliers or
foreign nations and the associated risks;
·
the
impact of foreign government subsidies and predatory trade practices on the
competitiveness of anthracite producers in the United States;
·
the
economic impact of artificially suppressed prices of anthracite due to unfair foreign
trade practices and state-sponsored overproduction;
·
the
potential for export restrictions by foreign nations, including the ability of
foreign nations to weaponize their control over supplies of anthracite coal;
·
the
feasibility of increasing domestic capacity for anthracite coal production to
reduce import reliance;
·
the
impact of current trade policies on domestic production of anthracite coal, and
whether additional measures, including tariffs or quotas, are necessary to
protect national security;
·
the
impact of the use or lack of use of anthracite coal on US manufacturing
employment;
·
the
potential for foreign control or exploitation of the anthracite coal supply
chain;
·
the
future role of anthracite coal production of items essential to national
security or in activities related to national security and
·
any
other relevant factors.