U.S. Initiates Section 232 Investigation on Imports of Copper

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On Feb. 25, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Department of Commerce to investigate the national security implications of copper imports. The investigation aims to assess whether reliance on foreign copper threatens U.S. national security and could lead to the implementation of tariffs or quotas on copper imports.

Executive Order

White House Fact Sheet

We encourage members to provide insights on how potential tariffs or other trade measures on imports of copper could impact your business and/or the automotive aftermarket industry. Your input will help shape our industry’s response in comments submitted to the Department of Commerce.

The investigation covers imports of copper in all forms, including but not limited to:

• raw mined copper
• copper concentrates
• refined copper
• copper alloys
• scrap copper
• derivative products

Rationale Behind the Investigation

According to the White House fact sheet, copper is integral to various sectors, including defense capabilities, infrastructure development, and technological innovation such as clean energy and electric vehicles. It is an essential material for national security and the Department of Defense’s second-most utilized metal.

The U.S. imported approximately 45% of its copper consumption in 2024, with major suppliers being Chile (6.2 billion), Canada, Mexico, Peru and Germany.

The investigation will examine factors such as domestic production capabilities, the impact of foreign subsidies, and the potential risks associated with over-reliance on external sources. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized the need to bolster domestic copper production to reduce vulnerabilities in the supply chain.

Next Steps

The U.S. Department of Commerce will consult with other relevant agencies to evaluate the national security risks associated with copper import dependency. The department is expected to submit a report to the president within 270 days (on or about Nov. 21, 2025), which will include:

• Findings on whether U.S. dependence on copper imports threatens national security;
• Recommendations on actions to mitigate these threats, including potential tariffs, export controls, or incentives to increase domestic production; and
• Policy recommendations for strengthening the U.S. copper supply chain