On July 30, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation imposing a 50% tariff on imports of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivatives, set to take effect August 1.
The move follows a report from the Department of Commerce that found excessive copper imports are undermining U.S. national security by eroding domestic production and increasing reliance on foreign sources—particularly as one nation now dominates over half of global copper refining capacity.
In addition to the immediate tariff, the proclamation outlines a series of escalating trade actions, including:
Phased tariffs on refined copper (15% in 2027, 30% in 2028)
Domestic sales requirements for copper materials and scrap
Enhanced enforcement on import declarations and derivatives
Export controls on high-quality copper scrap
These steps aim to strengthen the U.S. copper industry, support defense manufacturing, and reduce vulnerability in critical supply chains.
Read the full proclamation on whitehouse.gov
Source: CIFFA bulletin