President Trump Imposes 50% Tariff on Copper Imports to Bolster Domestic Industry
Impact Score: 3.6
Timeline: Tariffs effective August 1, 2025; increasing domestic copper sale requirements from 25% in 2027 to 40% by 2029
Summary: To address national security concerns and revitalize the U.S. copper industry, President Trump signed a Proclamation imposing a 50% tariff on semi-finished copper products and derivatives starting August 1, 2025. The Department of Commerce will manage an inclusion process for additional copper derivatives and enforce Defense Production Act measures mandating domestic sales of copper scrap and input materials. The move aims to reduce reliance on foreign copper and support defense and industrial capabilities.
Key Actions: Vanderbilt’s Economics Department should research tariff impacts, the Office of Federal Relations must monitor Defense Production Act changes, the School of Engineering can pursue partnerships with domestic producers, and the Center for Technology Transfer should focus on copper-related innovations and patents.
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