

Section 201 is controversial and there is no consensus among economists as to whether the provision helps or harms that market. When President George W. Bush invoked Section 201 in 2002 to limit steel imports, it became clear that the U.S. steel industry failed to capture a larger share of the market, which resulted in 200,000 workers losing their jobs. By 2003, Bush rescinded Section 201 for the purpose of protecting domestic steel production.
South Korea has more than doubled to $27.6 billion in 2016, reports CNBC, although through July 2017, the bilateral trade deficit fell to $13.1 billion from $18.8 billion during the same period of 2016, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
Trump is expected to make a decision on the ITC’s recommendation, possibly as early as next week.
Unless protections are enforced, more and more companies will choose to move their manufacturing operations abroad. American companies Mondelez, Rexnord, and Brake Parts Inc. all recently moved manufacturing operations to Mexico in order to avoid U.S. regulations and take advantage of Mexico’s lower labor costs. By following the ITC's policy recommendation, Trump would show that he plans to protect American companies and jobs and keep his pledge to the forgotten men and women of the country and his promise to put "America First."
If he does so, Trump will send a strong message to foreign firms engaging in anti-competitive and predatory behavior. This decision would also renew Samsung and LG's interest investing in American manufacturing, which would lead to jobs for American workers.
Barbara Boland is a former communications director for Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.) and former editor for the Washington Examiner. She is also the author of “Patton Uncovered,” a book about how General Patton became the most respected and feared American general in World War II.