Adjusting Imports of Copper into the United States

7/30/2025

Proclamations

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Action Summary

National Security Concern: The Secretary of Commerce’s investigation determined that current copper imports—in various forms such as ores, concentrates, refined copper, and derivatives—threaten U.S. national security by weakening domestic production and increasing reliance on foreign sources.
Economic and Industrial Impact: The excessive imports contribute to the closure of domestic copper production facilities, weaken the industrial base crucial for defense systems and critical infrastructure, and create vulnerabilities in the supply chain.
Unfair Trade Practices: Findings attribute significant harm to foreign state subsidies, overproduction, and unfair trade practices that have hollowed out U.S. copper refining and smelting, necessitating corrective action.
Tariff Impositions and Adjustments:
- The proclamation imposes a 50% tariff on semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products effective August 1, 2025.
- Provides for potential phased tariffs on refined copper products (15% starting in 2027 and 30% in 2028) based on further review.
Domestic Sales and Export Controls: Mandates domestic sales requirements for copper input materials and high-quality copper scrap along with export controls for high-quality copper scrap to bolster domestic production and reduce dependency on imports.
Regulatory and Procedural Measures:
- The Secretary, in coordination with agencies like the U.S. International Trade Commission and Customs and Border Protection, will modify HTSUS as needed.
- A process will be established within 90 days to extend tariff measures to additional copper derivatives.
- Strict compliance guidelines and penalties for underreporting copper content in imports are to be enforced by CBP.
Coordination and Monitoring:
- The United States will coordinate with the United Kingdom under a structured economic prosperity deal.
- The Secretary is tasked with ongoing monitoring of copper imports, with reports to the President on domestic copper market conditions and national security implications.
Legal and Executive Authority: The action is taken under the authority of section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Defense Production Act, and related Executive Orders, superseding conflicting previous measures.

Risks & Considerations

The imposition of tariffs on copper imports could lead to increased costs for industries reliant on copper, including those in the defense and infrastructure sectors. This may result in higher operational costs for research and development projects at Vanderbilt University that utilize copper or copper-based products.
Vanderbilt University may face challenges in securing copper for research purposes, potentially impacting timelines and budgets for projects that require this material.
The increased tariffs and domestic sales requirements could lead to supply chain disruptions, affecting the availability of copper for academic and research purposes. This may necessitate adjustments in procurement strategies and partnerships with suppliers.
There is a potential risk of retaliatory trade measures from countries affected by these tariffs, which could impact international collaborations and partnerships that Vanderbilt University may have with institutions in those countries.
The focus on increasing domestic production of copper may present opportunities for Vanderbilt University to engage in research and development initiatives aimed at improving copper production technologies and processes.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Engineering and Science Departments may need to reassess their research projects that involve copper, considering potential cost increases and supply chain issues.
The Office of Research might need to explore alternative materials or methods for projects that are heavily dependent on copper, ensuring continuity and innovation in research activities.
Vanderbilt’s Procurement Office could play a crucial role in navigating the new tariff landscape, securing necessary materials while managing costs effectively.
Collaborations with domestic copper producers could be explored to mitigate risks associated with supply chain disruptions and to support national initiatives in increasing domestic copper production.

Financial Impact

The tariffs could lead to increased costs for research projects that require copper, potentially affecting budget allocations and financial planning for affected departments.
Vanderbilt University may need to allocate additional resources to manage the impact of these tariffs on research and operational activities, including potential investments in alternative materials or technologies.
Opportunities for securing funding for research in copper production and alternative materials may arise, aligning with national priorities to enhance domestic production capabilities.
Changes in the global copper market could influence the financial strategies of Vanderbilt University, particularly in terms of international collaborations and partnerships.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks involving compliance and potential impacts on research and operational activities.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Department of Economics should conduct research on the economic impacts of the new tariffs on copper imports. This research can provide insights into how these tariffs might affect the broader economy, including potential cost increases for industries reliant on copper, and inform strategic decisions for the university’s economic and business programs.
Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering should explore opportunities for innovation in materials science to develop alternatives to copper. By investing in research and development of new materials, the university can position itself as a leader in addressing the challenges posed by the reliance on copper and contribute to national security and industrial resilience.
The Office of Federal Relations should engage with policymakers to understand the implications of the tariffs on research funding and infrastructure projects. By staying informed about potential changes in federal funding priorities, Vanderbilt can adapt its strategies to secure necessary resources for ongoing and future projects.
Vanderbilt’s Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization should assess the potential for commercializing new technologies that reduce dependency on copper. By identifying and supporting innovative solutions, the center can enhance Vanderbilt’s contributions to national security and economic stability.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Research Centers to secure funding for projects focused on enhancing domestic production capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign imports. By aligning research initiatives with national security priorities, Vanderbilt can attract federal and private investment.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on domestic production by developing partnerships with industries affected by the tariffs. Collaborative research and development efforts can lead to innovations that benefit both the university and the broader industrial sector.
The emphasis on strengthening supply chains offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Supply Chain Management Program to engage in policy analysis and provide recommendations for improving industrial resilience. By contributing to the national conversation on supply chain security, the program can enhance its reputation and influence.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to impacts on research, innovation, and industry partnerships.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.8

Timeline for Implementation

Tariff Enforcement: All imports of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products will be subject to a 50% tariff effective for goods entered on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on August 1, 2025.
Process Establishment: The Secretary must set up a process for including additional derivative copper articles within 90 days after the proclamation (by approximately October 28, 2025).
Copper Market Update: An update on domestic copper markets is required by the Secretary to be provided to the President by June 30, 2026.
Phased Tariff Changes on Refined Copper: A 15% tariff is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027, followed by a 30% tariff on January 1, 2028, contingent upon further review and justification.

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Commerce: The Secretary of Commerce is key to the investigation, reporting, and implementation of this action, including establishing processes and coordinating tariff modifications as required by the proclamation.
United States International Trade Commission (US ITC): Tasked with consulting on whether modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) are necessary to implement the tariff adjustments.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Charged with ensuring compliance with declaration requirements for copper content in imported articles and enforcing the tariffs as described in the proclamation.

Relevance Score: 2 (A small number of Federal Agencies are directly impacted by the proclamation.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Commerce – Charged with determining necessary modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, establishing processes for expanding tariff coverage on copper derivatives, monitoring imports, and implementing domestic sales requirements as outlined in the proclamation.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – Responsible for issuing authoritative guidance on copper content declarations, administering the imposed tariffs, and enforcing compliance with the tariff requirements.
U.S. International Trade Commission – Consulted by the Secretary of Commerce to determine if modifications to the HTSUS are necessary to implement the new tariffs.

Relevance Score: 5 (The directives directly affect Cabinet-level officials and senior agency heads responsible for major trade and security measures.)