July 31st, 2025 – On July 30th, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation imposing a 50% tariff on all imports of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivatives, effective August 1st, 2025. This action follows a Section 232 investigation by the Secretary of Commerce, who found that excessive copper imports, combined with global overcapacity and unfair trade practices, threaten U.S. national security by undermining the domestic copper industry. The report highlighted copper’s critical role in defense systems, infrastructure, and manufacturing, noting the U.S.’s growing dependence on foreign copper sources—particularly as one country now dominates global smelting and refining. The Secretary recommended tariffs, domestic sales requirements, and export controls to restore industrial resilience and reduce vulnerabilities. President Trump concurred, directing additional measures to monitor copper imports, expand the tariff scope to certain derivatives, and ensure strict compliance. The proclamation also aligns with ongoing trade coordination efforts with the United Kingdom under the 2025 Economic Prosperity Deal.
Read the full proclamation here: Adjusting Imports of Copper into the United States – The White House
Read the full White House Fact Sheet here: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Takes Action to Address the Threat to National Security from Imports of Copper – The White House
Should you have any questions, please contact our Import Compliance team or call us at 518-785-6000.
