DOD Notification Letter

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May 21, 2020

The Honorable Mark T. Esper
Secretary of Defense
Washington, DC 20301
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I am writing to notify you that I am initiating an investigation in response to a petition
requesting a determination of the effects of imported vanadium 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
vanadium.
The Department’s point of contact for this investigation is Richard E. Ashooh, Assistant
Secretary for Export Administration, Bureau of Industry and Security. Mr. Ashooh can be
reached at [email protected] and (202) 482-5711.
I look forward to our collaboration on this important issue.
Sincerely,

Wilbur Ross

CUI/PRIV // UNCLASSIFIED // FOR USG USE ONLY // CONTAINS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
Deliberative Process Protected – NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION