BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
1. On June 30, 2025, the Secretary of Commerce submitted a report detailing the implications of copper imports—spanning all forms, from ores to alloys—on the national security of the United States, as mandated by section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, 19 U.S.C. 1862. The investigation concluded that the current levels of copper imports pose a significant threat to the national security of the United States.
2. The Secretary identified that the sheer volume of copper imports, coupled with global overproduction, is undermining our economy. This scenario is leading to the potential closure of domestic copper production facilities and diminishing our capability to satisfy national security production demands. As such, and considering the intimate link between national economic welfare and security, the Secretary concluded that the status quo of copper imports threatens to compromise our national security.
3. The report emphasized copper’s critical role in the manufacturing sector, which underpins U.S. national and economic security. As the Department of Defense’s second most utilized material, copper is integral to a variety of defense systems such as aircraft, vehicles, ships, and munitions. Beyond defense, its exceptional electrical conductivity makes it vital for infrastructure that supports the economy and public health. Alternatives to copper are often inadequate in critical applications.
4. Historically, the United States led the world in the full spectrum of copper production throughout the 20th century. However, copper production in the U.S. has dramatically declined. Currently, a single foreign nation dominates global copper smelting, controlling over half of the world’s smelting capacity and housing four of the five largest refining facilities.
5. The Secretary pointed out that unfair trading practices abroad, combined with overly stringent domestic environmental regulations, have weakened U.S. copper refining and smelting industries. This has resulted in a dangerous dependence on foreign copper imports as domestic producers struggle against foreign competitors that utilize state subsidies to flood the market with low-cost copper products. Consequently, U.S. reliance on foreign semi-finished copper and derivatives has become a pressing vulnerability.
6. This dependency is a national security risk that could be exploited by foreign adversaries, undermining industrial resilience and exposing Americans to supply chain disruptions and economic instability, thereby jeopardizing our defense industrial base.
7. In light of these troubling findings, the Secretary proposed several actions to recalibrate copper imports to safeguard national security. Recommendations included an immediate 30 percent universal import duty on semi-finished copper and intensive copper derivative products, along with a phased tariff on refined copper—15 percent starting in 2027 and escalating to 30 percent by 2028. Additional proposals included domestic sales requirements for copper input materials and high-quality scrap, as well as export controls on scrap copper.
8. After reviewing the Secretary’s report and relevant factors outlined in section 232(d), I agree with the assessment that copper imports are indeed jeopardizing national security. Therefore, I find it both necessary and appropriate to impose tariffs to realign these imports and mitigate the associated risks.
9. To prevent circumvention of these tariffs and ensure the integrity of this initiative, I deem it essential to establish a robust process for identifying and imposing tariffs on various copper derivatives.
10. I believe that the actions outlined in this proclamation will stimulate domestic production of both semi-finished copper and intensive derivative products, thereby decreasing our reliance on foreign sources. This strategy will enable domestic fabricators to provide essential copper products for infrastructure, defense systems, and advanced manufacturing, while also fostering investments, job growth, and innovation in the domestic copper sector. Ultimately, this initiative is crucial for enhancing supply chains, bolstering industrial resilience, and generating substantial economic advantages.
11. Section 232 empowers the President to regulate imports of any article that threatens to impair national security, ensuring that such imports do not undermine our security interests.
12. Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974 authorizes the President to incorporate relevant statutes affecting import treatment into the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, including adjustments to duty rates.
13. In alignment with the Economic Prosperity Deal between the United States and the United Kingdom, the U.S. intends to collaborate with the U.K. to address the national security threats posed by the copper sector through structured negotiations.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, under the authority granted to me by the Constitution and U.S. law, including section 232; the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); section 101 of the Defense Production Act of 1950; section 301 of title 3, United States Code; and section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, hereby proclaim the following:
(1) All imports of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products, as detailed in the Annex to this proclamation, will be subject to a 50 percent tariff, effective for goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption starting at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on August 1, 2025, continuing unless expressly modified or terminated. This tariff is in addition to other applicable duties and fees unless otherwise stated.
(2) The Secretary, in consultation with the U.S. International Trade Commission and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shall determine if modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule are necessary to implement this proclamation.
(3) Within 90 days of this proclamation, the Secretary will establish a process to add additional copper derivative articles to the tariff scope, in accordance with prior proclamations addressing aluminum and steel imports.
(4) The non-copper content of all copper articles affected by this proclamation will also incur tariffs as per Executive Order 14257, along with any other applicable duties. Additional duties will specifically apply to the copper content of affected articles. Customs and Border Protection will enforce strict compliance on declarations for copper content, with significant penalties for noncompliance.
(5) If a product is subject to tariffs under both this proclamation and Proclamation 10908 concerning automobiles, the duties imposed under Proclamation 10908 will prevail.
(6) Any copper product admitted into a U.S. foreign trade zone after this proclamation must be classified as “privileged foreign” and will be subject to applicable ad valorem duty rates.
(7) The Secretary will continue to monitor copper imports and provide periodic updates regarding national security implications and market conditions.
(8) I find that copper input materials and high-quality copper scrap meet criteria specified in the Defense Production Act. The Secretary will implement domestic sales requirements accordingly.
(9) The Secretary may issue regulations and guidelines consistent with the objectives of this proclamation.
(10) No drawback provisions will apply to the duties imposed by this proclamation.
(11) Customs and Border Protection may take necessary actions to administer the tariffs established by this proclamation.
(12) Any prior proclamations or Executive Orders inconsistent with this proclamation are superseded to the extent of such inconsistency. Should any provision of this proclamation be deemed invalid, the remainder shall remain in effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
