President Donald Trump signed on Tuesday an executive order that instructs the trade department to initiate an investigation into copper imports, which could lead to the imposition of tariffs on the main exporters of this material to the North American country, including Chile, Chile, Canada, Peru and Mexico.
“Copper is a critical material and its supply is vital for our national security,” Trump said in statements from the Oval Office of the White House.
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Specifically, the Executive Order entrusts the Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, analyzing whether the high dependence on copper imports represents a risk to the national security of the United States and, if so, recommend measures to restrict them.
Copper is classified as a “critical mineral” by the Department of Commerce, since it is fundamental for strategic sectors such as solar energy, aviation and manufacturing vehicles and vessels, as well as the manufacture of military equipment.
In addition, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence require a stable supply of this metal.
A deadline for the conclusion of the investigation has not been established, which will be carried out under section 232 of the 1974 Commerce Law.
This legal framework gives the president broad powers to impose tariffs if it is determined that imports of a product affect national security or unfair commercial policies are practiced.
Section 232 was already used by Trump during his first term (2017-2021) to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum, and later for his successor, the Democrat Joe Biden (2021-2025), in commercial measures against China.
Although this process may take months or even years, Peter Navarro, advisor to the president in Commerce and Industry, said that this time a rapid resolution will be sought, stating that it will be done in “Trump Time” (Trump Time), that is, as quickly as possible.
Once the investigation is completed, Lutnick will present Trump recommendations to reduce copper imports if necessary, with the possibility of imposing tariffs.
Main countries that could be affected
The main countries that could be affected are the largest copper exporters refined to the US, which are Chile, which in 2023 exported 4,630 million dollars, Canada (1,220 million), Peru (705 million), Mexico (116 million) and the Republic Democratic of Congo (106 million), according to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), a platform that collects international trade data.
After his return to the White House on January 20, Trump has already announced new 25 % tariffs on steel and aluminum, which will enter into force on March 12.
In addition, it has established a 25 % tax at all imports from Mexico and Canada, which will be applied as of March 4.
Given the possibility of Trump imposed on copper tariff .
With EFE information
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