The South Korean government and the automotive industry have formed a special response team following news that U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a probe into imported vehicles to determine their effects on U.S. national security.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held a meeting with the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association and other industry officials Thursday afternoon, and agreed to set up a response team and examine the impact of the U.S.’ move on the domestic auto sector.

The ministry said it will continue to monitor related moves within the United States.

The auto industry projected that if the U.S. slaps tariffs on imported cars, this will weaken the price competitiveness of South Korean exports, leading to a drop in U.S. sales. South Korea auto parts makers could also be negatively impacted in a chain effect.

Trump said Wednesday that he had instructed the commerce secretary to launch an investigation into the imports of cars, trucks and auto parts through Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. 

This is the same law the U.S. government applied when imposing 25 percent tariffs on imported steel and ten percent tariffs on aluminum imports in March.