US opens section 232 investigation on copper imports

On February 25, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) directing the US Department of Commerce to investigate potential national security risks of copper imports, which could eventually lead to the imposition of tariffs on all copper imports. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) will conduct the investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, a law that empowers the president to restrict imports of products that are found to threaten to impair national security.

The President stated in the EO that the United States faces significant vulnerabilities in the copper supply chain, with increasing reliance on foreign sources for mined, smelted, and refined copper. Additionally, he feels that although the US has ample copper reserves, the US smelting and refining capacity lags behind other global competitors. The goal is to reduce dependency of foreign sources and ensure a reliable domestic copper supply, meaning produced in the US “no exceptions or exemptions”.

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

The United States imports roughly half of the copper it consumes, with the largest sources of imports being Chile, Canada, Mexico, Peru, and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Copper's versatility in construction/building materials, electronics, transportation (automobiles and motors) and especially now in AI applications makes it a go-to for industrial purposes. It is an essential component of military hardware including vehicles, ships and aircraft. It is also a key component in electrical wiring, and household appliances.

The investigation’s purpose is to determine "whether the importation of the article in question is in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security."

As is standard with these investigations, BIS will typically gather public comments and hold hearings, providing opportunities for stakeholders to share input on the investigation. BIS will provide more information about its plans for the investigation in a future Federal Register notice.

The BIS investigation will take up to 270 days to complete (

November 22, 2025

), at which point a report must be submitted to the President with findings. Upon receiving BIS’ determination, the President can choose to take action to mitigate threats identified by the imports of the article or its derivatives – recommended actions to mitigate such threats could include potential tariffs, export controls, or incentives to increase domestic production.

Companies would be wise to review their product database to identify products and suppliers that fall within the scope of the investigation. Given the tendency for the Trump Administration to impose tariffs under national security authorizations, scenario planning to determine potential impact and consider alternate options for sourcing would be wise.

To learn more about how the ONESOURCE Global Trade suite of tools and services can help businesses analyze potential impacts, explore alternative sourcing options, and optimize their trade operations to mitigate risks and capitalize on potential advantages, please contact your Account Manager or Client Services Manager.