Top copper suppliers say that their exports do not threaten U.S. national security, as the Trump administration considers tariffs.
Seven U.S. trade partners have formally opposed a federal investigation examining whether copper imports threaten national security.
Chile, Canada, Peru, Indonesia, South Korea, China, and the European Union submitted written comments to the Commerce Department ahead of an April 1 deadline, urging the United States not to impose tariffs or quotas on their copper products.
Each government argued in letters that are now public that its exports strengthen U.S. supply chains and do not impair defense, energy, or infrastructure readiness.
The investigation was initiated March 10 under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
It follows a Feb. 25 executive order from President Donald Trump instructing the Commerce Department to examine copper imports in all forms, including mined ore, concentrates, refined copper, alloys, scrap, and derivative products.
“Copper is a critical material essential to the national security, economic strength, and industrial resilience of the United States,” the executive order states. “Copper, scrap copper, and copper’s derivative products play a vital role in defense applications, infrastructure, and emerging technologies, including clean energy, electric vehicles, and advanced electronics. The United States faces significant vulnerabilities in the copper supply chain, with increasing reliance on foreign sources for mined, smelted, and refined copper.”
Chile, the United States’ largest supplier of refined copper, said in a letter that its exports are essential for American industries.
“Copper imports from Chile contribute to the United States’ supply chain security and do not represent any risk to its national security interests,” Chilean Ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdés wrote in the letter.
Canada emphasized its role as a close ally and top destination for U.S. copper exports, noting that bilateral copper trade benefits both economies and supports defense-related manufacturing.
The Canadian government, in its letter, said that “imports of Canadian copper do not in any way threaten to impair U.S. national security.”
By Chase Smith
