President Donald Trump has launched a fresh investigation into U.S. copper imports, signaling a potential new round of tariffs aimed at bolstering domestic production of a metal critical to electric vehicles, military hardware, the power grid, and numerous consumer goods.
In an executive order signed on Tuesday, Trump directed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to initiate a national security probe under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 - the same authority used during his first term to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum. The probe is intended to determine whether U.S. reliance on imported copper - amounting to 45% of the country’s consumption last year - poses a national security risk, particularly in light of efforts by countries like China to dominate the global copper market through state subsidies and excess production capacity.
“American industries depend on copper, and it should be made in America, no exemptions, no exceptions,” Lutnick said during the signing, emphasizing that the investigation would cover all forms of copper imports, including raw mined copper, concentrates, copper alloys, scrap copper, and derivative products. The White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that any potential tariff rate would be determined based on the findings of the investigation, with Trump expressing a clear preference for tariffs over quotas.
The move marks the latest in a series of tariff orders since Trump resumed his White House residency last month. Already, a 10% levy on all imports from China is in place, with 25% duties on goods from Canada and Mexico set to take effect next week. Additional tariffs on steel, aluminum, and motor vehicles are also either imminent or under fast-track development.
The new probe has rattled markets, with stocks falling on Wall Street for the fourth consecutive day amid growing uncertainty over Trump’s evolving trade policies. In after-hours trading, shares of Freeport-McMoRan, the world’s largest copper producer, surged 5%, buoyed by expectations that tighter U.S. protections could benefit domestic producers. However, companies like London-based Antofagasta, currently developing the Twin Metals copper and nickel mine in Minnesota, declined to comment on Trump’s latest actions.
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro asserted that the investigation would be concluded “in Trump time,” underscoring the administration’s resolve to curb what it sees as unfair trade practices that have undermined American manufacturing. Navarro contended that China’s aggressive state subsidies and capacity expansions have decimated U.S. copper production, a trend that the administration aims to reverse.
The probe also comes amid broader geopolitical tensions. Trump’s trade policies have increasingly targeted long-standing U.S. allies, such as Canada and Mexico, while also aiming to pressure adversaries like China. In related news, the administration is also reviewing digital services taxes imposed on U.S. technology firms by other nations.
As the investigation unfolds, the potential imposition of new copper tariffs could significantly reshape global supply chains and impact industries reliant on this critical material. The outcome of the probe remains to be seen, but it underscores the administration’s aggressive stance on protecting U.S. industrial interests in a rapidly shifting global trade landscape.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed on Thursday that discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump have not touched on the potential American ownership of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which remains under Russian control.
U.S. airstrikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, have destroyed civilian infrastructure, including a community event hall, wounding at least nine people. The strikes continue to devastate residential areas, raising concerns about the impact on civilians.
The United States launched airstrikes on the Yemeni capital of Sanaa on Wednesday, targeting Houthi positions, according to Houthi-run Al Masirah TV. The strikes come in response to continued attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by the Iran-aligned group.
The U.S. has deported hundreds of mostly Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, where they are being held without trial in the country’s notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a mega-prison known for its severe conditions.
The U.S. State Department said Wednesday that a proposal remains on the table to extend the ceasefire in Gaza, but the opportunity for an agreement is "closing fast."
Hong Kong's iconic landmarks dimmed their lights on Saturday evening for Earth Hour, joining a global movement to raise awareness about climate change and promote energy conservation. The city's participation in the annual event highlighted the growing commitment to sustainability and environmental
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have announced plans to reposition their forces from the town of Walikale, which they seized earlier this week, in an effort to support broader initiatives aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
UNICEF on Saturday urged the interim Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan to lift the ban on girls' secondary education as the new school year begins without girls for a third consecutive year.
Pope Francis will make his first public appearance in five weeks on Sunday, offering a blessing from his hospital window as he recovers from double pneumonia.
Two firefighters have tragically died and two more remain missing as wildfires continue to ravage South Korea, with over 20 fires burning across the country. The most severe blaze, in South Gyeongsang province, has already consumed hundreds of acres.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams completed an unexpectedly long 286-day mission on the ISS, returning to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule after delays caused by technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner.
In a groundbreaking study published in Cell on January 18, Chinese researchers have unveiled a novel cancer treatment that ingeniously disguises tumors as pig tissue, triggering the body’s immune system to mount a hyperacute rejection response against the cancer cells.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated on Thursday that purchasing U.S. weapons does not pose a security risk for his country, but emphasized the need for Europe to reduce its reliance on American defense systems. His comments come amid growing discussions within Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday to a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump that Russia and Ukraine cease attacking each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days, the Kremlin said following a lengthy phone discussion between the leaders.
On March 16, at around 09:45, Armenian armed forces opened fire on Azerbaijani positions located in the direction of the Digh settlement in the Goris region, using firearms, according to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defence.
Hong Kong's iconic landmarks dimmed their lights on Saturday evening for Earth Hour, joining a global movement to raise awareness about climate change and promote energy conservation. The city's participation in the annual event highlighted the growing commitment to sustainability and environmental
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have announced plans to reposition their forces from the town of Walikale, which they seized earlier this week, in an effort to support broader initiatives aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Pope Francis will make his first public appearance in five weeks on Sunday, offering a blessing from his hospital window as he recovers from double pneumonia.
Two firefighters have tragically died and two more remain missing as wildfires continue to ravage South Korea, with over 20 fires burning across the country. The most severe blaze, in South Gyeongsang province, has already consumed hundreds of acres.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited the eastern Donetsk region, reinforcing the government’s commitment to maintaining stability and support for those affected by the ongoing conflict.
Hong Kong's iconic landmarks dimmed their lights on Saturday evening for Earth Hour, joining a global movement to raise awareness about climate change and promote energy conservation. The city's participation in the annual event highlighted the growing commitment to sustainability and environmental
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have announced plans to reposition their forces from the town of Walikale, which they seized earlier this week, in an effort to support broader initiatives aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
UNICEF on Saturday urged the interim Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan to lift the ban on girls' secondary education as the new school year begins without girls for a third consecutive year.
Pope Francis will make his first public appearance in five weeks on Sunday, offering a blessing from his hospital window as he recovers from double pneumonia.
Two firefighters have tragically died and two more remain missing as wildfires continue to ravage South Korea, with over 20 fires burning across the country. The most severe blaze, in South Gyeongsang province, has already consumed hundreds of acres.
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