DOD Notification Letter

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
The Secretary of Commerce
Washington, D.C.20230

March 4, 2019

The Honorable Patrick M. Shanahan
Acting Secretary of Defense
Washington, DC 20301-30 I0
Dear Mr. Acting Secretary:
[ am writing to notify you that [ am initiating an investigation in response to a petition
requesting a determination of the effects of imported titanium sponge on national security. I am
taking this action pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19
U.S.C. S 1862). Section 232 requires notice be provided to the Secretary of Defense upon
initiation of an investigation.
During the course of the investigation, Department of Commerce staff will consult with
their counterparts in the Department of Defense regarding any methodological and policy
questions that arise during the investigation. The investigation report will include any
information provided by the Department of Defense regarding the national defense requirements
for titanium sponge.
The Department's point of contact for this investigation is Brad Botwin, Director,
Industrial Studies, Office of Technology Evaluation, Bureau oflndustry and Security.
Mr. Botwin can be reached at Brad.Botwin@bis.doc.gov and (202) 482-4060.
I look forward to our collaboration on this important issue.

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Wilbur Ross