THOMPSON COBURN TRADE ALERT – IMPORTS
HEADLINE	Section 232 Investigation Into Copper Imports
DATE	February 25 2025
AGENCY	Department of Commerce; Trump Administration
EFFECTIVE DATES	November 22 2025 – Report due date from Secretary of Commerce
BACKGROUND	The Trump Administration has ordered the Secretary to conduct a 232 investigation into copper to determine whether imported copper and copper products impair the national security of the United States. This is the same statute President Trump used to impose duties on steel and aluminum in 2018, and to increase the duties on aluminum and eliminate the previously negotiated product and country-based exceptions to the steel and aluminum duties earlier this month.
DETAILS	The EO directs the Secretary of Commerce to investigate the impacts of copper imports, including: • Raw mined copper, • Copper concentrates, • Refined copper, • Copper alloys, • Scrap copper, and • Derivative products.   The EO does not define what derivative products are to be included in the investigation. The Secretary is directed to submit a report within 270 days on the Department’s findings and provide recommendations such as tariffs, export controls, or incentives for domestic production. Based on this timeframe, we can expect a report by November 22, 2025.   The findings from the Secretary may or may not result in additional tariffs on imported copper goods.
BASIS	Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962
CITE	Addressing the Threat to National Security from Imports of Copper – The White House Federal Register :: Addressing the Threat to National Security From Imports of Copper

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