On June 30, 2025, the Secretary of Commerce submitted a significant report investigating the implications of copper imports on the national security of the United States, invoking section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
The findings revealed that imported copper, classified as including copper ores, concentrates, refined copper, alloys, scrap copper, and derivative products, poses a substantial risk to national security in the current quantities and circumstances.
The Secretary warned that the excess capacity for copper production globally is undermining the domestic economy, threatening potential closures of manufacturing facilities dedicated to copper production, and diminishing the country’s ability to fulfill national security production requirements.
Amidst these challenges, the Secretary highlighted the essential role of copper in the manufacturing backbone of the United States, emphasizing that this material is second only to one other resource in terms of use by the Department of Defense.
Defensive systems such as aircraft, ground vehicles, ships, submarines, missiles, and ammunition heavily rely on copper, which also supports critical infrastructure sectors that are crucial for the broader American economy, public health, and national security.
Alternative materials have proven inadequate substitutes for copper in multiple pivotal industries, reinforcing the need for domestic production.
Historically, the United States led the world in copper production throughout the 20th century, covering the entire production chain from mining to refining.
However, the situation has drastically changed, with one foreign nation now dominating global copper smelting and refining, controlling over half of the global smelting capacity, and operating four of the five largest refining facilities worldwide.
The Secretary attributed this decline to unfair trade practices from abroad, combined with stringent environmental regulations within the United States, which have weakened the domestic copper refining and smelting industries.
As a direct result, the nation has become overly reliant on imported copper, creating vulnerabilities that could be exploited by foreign adversaries.
This dependence not only undermines the industrial resilience of the United States but also opens the country to potential economic instabilities and issues with supply chain disruptions.
In response to these alarming findings, the Secretary recommended a set of measures to adjust copper imports, ensuring they do not jeopardize national security.
A key recommendation was the introduction of a universal 30 percent import duty on semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivatives.
To address refined copper, the Secretary proposed a phased tariff structure of 15 percent starting in 2027, increasing to 30 percent in 2028, along with domestic sales requirements for input materials and high-quality copper scrap.
After reviewing the Secretary’s comprehensive findings and recommendations, President Donald Trump concurred with the assessment that copper imports threaten to impair national security.
In light of these deliberations, the President determined that imposing tariffs is a necessary strategy to mitigate these risks effectively.
To ensure compliance and prevent circumvention of these tariffs, the President announced a process aimed at identifying and imposing tariffs on additional copper derivatives.
The actions outlined in the proclamation are intended to bolster domestic production capabilities of semi-finished copper and its derivatives, thereby lessening reliance on foreign sources.
Additionally, these measures aim to support domestic fabricators by ensuring they can provide sufficient supplies of copper essential for infrastructure and defense applications.
Moreover, the President believes these actions will enhance investments, create jobs, and stimulate innovation within the domestic copper sector, strengthening supply chains and promoting industrial resilience.
The proclamation also invoked the authority of section 232, allowing the President to regulate imports that may threaten national security.
The President’s proclamation directs the implementation of a 50 percent tariff on imports of the specified copper products, effective from August 1, 2025.
This tariff will be imposed in addition to any other existing duties or fees on these imports, establishing a significant financial barrier for foreign products.
In collaboration with the United States International Trade Commission and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Secretary will monitor the situation and facilitate any necessary adjustments to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
The Secretary is also tasked with establishing a process within 90 days to include any additional copper derivative articles subject to these tariffs.
Furthermore, the proclamation stipulates that the non-copper content of copper articles will be subject to various existing tariffs enacted through multiple executive orders aimed at addressing trade deficits and other national concerns.
In cases where products are subject to tariffs under both this proclamation and previous ones concerning automobiles and automobile parts, the tariffs from the latter will take precedence.
Products admitted into U.S. foreign trade zones after the effective date must adhere to specific import regulations relevant to copper content.
Constant monitoring of copper imports and their impact on national security remains a critical component of the Secretary’s duties, necessitating regular updates to the President on the status of domestic markets for refining capacity.
By June 30, 2026, the Secretary will provide an assessment indicating whether implementing the phased import duties on refined copper is necessary to safeguard national security interests.
The paramount significance of copper input materials and high-quality scrap, deemed critical under the Defense Production Act, further defines the strategic approach to ensure U.S. interests are protected.
The Secretary has been granted the authority to implement the domestic sales mandates that were recommended based on the Secretary’s findings.
Lastly, the proclamation outlines that no drawback will be permitted concerning duties imposed under these new measures, emphasizing strict compliance with import regulations.
In conclusion, President Donald Trump’s administration is taking decisive action to restructure copper import policies with the aim of reinforcing national security and stimulating domestic production to counteract harmful foreign dependencies.
image source from：whitehouse
