THOMPSON COBURN TRADE ALERT – IMPORTS
HEADLINE	Request for Public Comments on Section 232 Investigation of Imports of Copper
DATE	March 11 2025
AGENCY	Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security, U.S. Department of Commerce
EFFECTIVE DATES	April 1 2025 – Deadline to submit comments
BACKGROUND	On February 25, 2025, the Trump Administration directed the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a 232 investigation into copper to determine whether imported copper and copper products impair the national security of the United States.
DETAILS	Pursuant to Trump’s Feb. 25 order, the Department of Commerce initiated a Section 232 investigation into imports of copper on March 10, 2025. Commerce is seeking written comments, data, and information related to the national security impacts of copper supply.   Specific areas of interest include: • Current and future demand for copper in defense, energy, and critical infrastructure • Ability of domestic production, smelting, refining, and recycling to meet demand • Role of foreign supply chains, particularly from major exporters, in meeting United States demands • Concentration of United States copper imports from a small number of suppliers and the associated risks • Impact of foreign government subsidies, overcapacity, and predatory trade practices on domestic industry competitiveness • Impact of low copper prices due to dumping and state-sponsored overproduction • Risks from potential export restrictions by foreign nations • Feasibility of expanding domestic copper production to reduce dependence on imports • Impact of current trade policies on domestic copper production and whether additional measures, including tariffs or quotas, are necessary to protect national security Please refer to the Notice linked below in CITES for specific filing instructions. Comments can be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov, ID No. BIS-2025-0010, and all comments should refer to X-RIN 0694-XC116.
BASIS	Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962
CITES	Federal Register :: Notice of Request for Public Comments on Section 232 National Security Investigation of Imports of Copper Executive Order 14220 – Addressing the Threat to National Security From Imports of Copper

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