Trump orders investigation into copper import

Washington: To investigate how copper imports threaten America's national security and economic stability, US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that could lead to the imposition of new tariffs on the metal used to produce aircraft, vehicles, ships and other military hardware.

The investigation, to be conducted by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, allows the president to impose import restrictions if an import threatens to undermine the United States' national security.

The move came as he is using tariffs to boost the U.S.' manufacturing sector, reduce America's trade deficits and achieve other policy goals, reports the Yonhap news agency."This investigation will assess the national security risks arising from the United States' increasing dependence on imported copper, in all its forms, and the potential need for trade remedies to safeguard domestic industry," the White House said in a fact sheet.

It also stated that the investigation will culminate in a report identifying vulnerabilities in the copper supply chain and providing recommendations to enhance the resilience of America's domestic copper industry.

In a social media post, Trump said, Like America's steel and aluminum industries, its copper industry has been "decimated by global actors attacking our domestic production.""To build back our Copper Industry, I have requested my Secretary of Commerce and USTR to study Copper Imports, and end Unfair Trade putting Americans out of work. Tariffs will help build back our American Copper Industry, and strengthen our National Defence," he wrote on Truth Social. USTR is short for the U.S. Trade Representative.

Trump asserts that copper, a vital resource for American industries, should be manufactured in the US without exemptions or exceptions. He believes that his "America First" policy will create American jobs, protect national security, and strengthen the US copper industry, declaring, "It's time for copper to come home."

The commerce secretary has 270 days by law to present his department's findings and recommendations regarding the copper issue to the president. After receiving the report, the president will have 90 days to review it and make a decision.

A White House official, however, anticipated the investigation process will proceed quickly "in Trump time."

This development comes as President Trump has already announced plans to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. His administration is also considering "reciprocal" tariffs on US imports to match duties imposed by other countries on US exports. Additionally, Trump is weighing potential tariffs on cars, chips, and pharmaceuticals.

(inputs from IANS)