In a significant move to bolster national security, President of the United States has mandated an investigation into the impact of copper imports on the country’s safety and economic stability.
Copper, a critical resource for various industries including defense and technology, has raised alarms due to the United States’ heavy reliance on foreign sources.
In an executive order, the President highlighted that copper—and its derivatives—plays a vital role in key sectors such as clean energy, electric vehicles, and advanced electronics.
Despite the presence of ample copper reserves within the United States, the country’s smelting and refining capacity is notably behind its global competitors.
A major concern outlined in the order is the over 50 percent dominance of a single foreign producer in global copper smelting and refining, which controls four of the five largest refining facilities in the world.
This concentration of power in foreign hands has raised questions about the resilience of the United States’ copper supply chain, with implications for national security and economic stability.
The President’s policy aims to ensure a reliable, secure, and resilient domestic copper supply chain to mitigate vulnerabilities linked to foreign dependence.
The order embarks on invoking section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, allowing the Secretary of Commerce to launch an investigation into the national security implications of copper imports.
The inquiry will consider various forms of copper, including raw mined copper, copper concentrates, refined copper, copper alloys, scrap copper, and derivative products.
In executing this investigation, the Secretary of Commerce will assess multiple factors outlined in existing legislation to identify the current demands for copper across vital sectors such as defense, energy, and critical infrastructure.
The investigation will also evaluate the United States’ existing capacity for domestic production, smelting, refining, and recycling to ascertain whether it can meet the increasing demand.
A critical factor involved in this investigation is the potential risks associated with the concentration of copper imports from a limited number of supplier nations.
Additionally, the Secretary will analyze the economic impact arising from foreign government subsidies, overcapacity in production, and predatory trade practices that could affect local industry competitiveness.
The President’s directive suggests growing concern regarding the possibility of artificially lowered copper prices due to practices such as dumping and state-sponsored overproduction.
Also highlighted in the order is the concern over potential export restrictions by foreign nations.
This could lead to a scenario where foreign countries could manipulate their control over refined copper supplies, posing further threats to U.S. national interests.
The investigation is also expected to examine the feasibility of increasing domestic copper mining, smelting, and refining capacities, aimed specifically at reducing reliance on imports.
As part of the required actions, the Secretary of Commerce will coordinate with heads of relevant departments, including Defense, the Interior, and Energy to evaluate the national security risks of copper import dependencies.
Within 270 days, the Secretary is tasked with providing a comprehensive report to the President.
This report will include findings on whether the current import dependency on copper threatens national security.
It will also offer recommendations for mitigating these threats, which could include measures such as tariffs, export controls, or incentives aimed at bolstering domestic production.
Furthermore, the Secretary’s report will suggest policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the resilience of the United States copper supply chain through strategic investments, permitting reforms, and improved recycling initiatives.
The President emphasized that this executive order is not designed to infringe upon the authority granted by law to any executive department or agency.
The implementation of this order will adhere to existing legal frameworks and will depend on available appropriations.
This move reflects a rising trend of prioritizing national security in response to global supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly regarding essential materials like copper.
As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders from various sectors will be closely monitoring the implications of the findings and recommendations that emerge, potentially reshaping the landscape for copper production and trade in the United States.
image source from：https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/addressing-the-threat-to-nationalsecurity-from-imports-of-copper/
