Addressing the Threat to National Security from Imports of Copper

President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation into the national security risks posed by the United States' reliance on imported copper. Under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, this move aims to assess the vulnerabilities in the copper supply chain, which is crucial for defense, infrastructure, and emerging technologies such as clean energy and electric vehicles. The investigation could lead to potential tariffs or quotas to bolster domestic production, affecting industries reliant on copper and possibly sparking trade tensions with major copper-exporting countries.