Defense Notification Letter

Tracking Number: 21-0080428

DECISION FOR THE SECRETARY
Approval of the content in the proposed NdFeB Magnet U.S. Department of Defense 232
Notification Letter

X
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I approve the content in the proposed DoD notification letter.

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I do not approve the content in the proposed DoD notification letter.

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I approve as amended the content in the proposed DoD notification letter.

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I would like to discuss this issue.

Signature: _____________________________________

9/21/2021
Date: _____________________

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

September 21, 2021

The Honorable Lloyd J. Austin III
The Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I am writing to notify you that I am initiating an investigation into the effects of the
import of neodymium-iron-boron and neodymium (NdFeB) magnets on the national security of
the United States. I am taking this action pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of
1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 1862). Section 232 requires that 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 information
provided by the Department of Defense regarding the national defense requirements for NdFeB
magnets.
My point of contact for this investigation is Kevin Coyne, Director of the Office of
Technology Evaluation, Bureau of Industry and Security, at Kevin.Coyne@bis.doc.gov or
(202) 482-2313.
I look forward to our collaboration on this important issue.
Sincerely,

Gina M. Raimondo