The US president Donald Trump signed a Tuesday Executive Decree yesterday ordering the Minister of Commerce Howard Latnik To investigate whether it is necessary to impose additional duties on imported copper, arguing that it raises a risk to the US national security and financial stability.

“Copper is of critical metal, and supply with it is essential for our national security”the Republican in the Oval Office said, “But the foreign copper flood in the US market has been a severe blow to national production.”

“I will investigate if there is a need to implement potential customs duties. US industries depend on copper and should be able to supply it to the US, independently ‘, He said Howard Latnik said on his part.

For the US Secretary of Commerce “Duties could allow our copper industry to be rebuilt, if necessary, and strengthen our national defense.”

This investigation will be carried out under subparagraph 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, 1962 law that enables executive power to examine or proceed with the imposition of customs duties.

Verse 232 allows the US President, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Commerce, to impose customs duties on products that are considered to be a risk to US national security.

The White House does not hide that this research It mainly puts China targetwhich he blames – and in this area – For overproduction in order to eliminate foreign competition.

“China has long been using overproduction as a financial weapon to dominate world markets and systematically endanger competitors, then consolidating its dominant position in every market after competition collapses.”denounced during a press conference via teleconference, the Peter NavarroAdvisor to President Trump for trade.

The Ministry of Commerce has after the signing of the executive decree 270 days at its disposal to conduct his investigation and submit to the US President his findings. He will then decide on the imposition or non -customs duties.

According to the data of the State Geological Services, US is introducing the current interval about 45% of copper consuming. These imports are primarily made by Chile and Canada.

In 2024, the US introduced almost 800,000 tonnes of processed copper, while their national production reached 850,000 tonnes.

On a global scale, China ranks fourth in copper productionbehind Chile, Peru and LD Congo, according to data from the US Department of Interior. The first five of the world is completed by the US.

This metal is used – among other things – by the defense industry, especially for aircraft production, but has many other applications, for example in the production of electric cables and in data centers.

According to Mr. Navarro, the US has copper stocks that are in the world’s largest and ‘The potential’ of the country in this field remains ‘Unused’.