President Donald Trump has reportedly now signed a new executive order instructing Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to investigate the implementation of tariffs on copper imports, aiming to boost domestic production.
The President expressed concerns that America’s dependence on foreign copper sources undermines national security.
He has directed Secretary Lutnick to explore various measures, including tariffs, export controls, and incentives, to enhance U.S. copper production.
The executive order emphasizes copper’s critical role in national defense, infrastructure, and emerging technologies such as clean energy, electric vehicles, and electronics.
“Copper is a critical material essential to the national security, economic strength, and industrial resilience of the United States. The United States faces significant vulnerabilities in the copper supply chain, with increasing reliance on foreign sources for mined, smelted, and refined copper.” Trump wrote in the order.
It highlights vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain due to significant reliance on imported copper, primarily from countries like Chile, Canada, and Peru.
A notable concern is the global dominance of a single foreign producer, which controls over half of the world’s copper smelting capacity and operates four of the top five largest refining facilities.
This concentration is viewed as a direct threat to U.S. national security and economic stability.
Authorized under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, this investigation permits the President to restrict imports based on national security considerations as assessed by the Department of Commerce.
The directive calls for a comprehensive evaluation of policies to strengthen the domestic copper supply chain, including strategic investments, permitting reforms, and enhanced recycling initiatives.
Secretary Lutnick, collaborating with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, is expected to produce a detailed report on the findings.
He emphasized the detrimental impact of global actors on the American copper industry and expressed a commitment to revitalizing domestic production.
The administration’s stance is clear: reinforcing the U.S. copper industry is essential for job creation and safeguarding national security.
This initiative reflects a broader “America First” policy, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign materials and strengthen the nation’s industrial base.
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