Addressing the Threat to National Security From Imports of Copper

Executive Order 14220 of February 25, 2025

Addressing the Threat to National Security From
Imports of Copper

By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, including section 232 of the Trade Expansion
Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862) (Trade
Expansion Act), it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Policy. Copper is a critical material
essential to the national security, economic strength,
and industrial resilience of the United 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.

The United States has ample copper reserves, yet our
smelting and refining capacity lags significantly
behind global competitors. A single foreign producer
dominates global copper smelting and refining,
controlling over 50 percent of global smelting capacity
and holding four of the top five largest refining
facilities. This dominance, coupled with global
overcapacity and a single producer's control of world
supply chains, poses a direct threat to United States
national security and economic stability.

It is the policy of the United States to ensure a
reliable, secure, and resilient domestic copper supply
chain. The United States' increasing dependence on
foreign sources of copper, particularly from a
concentrated number of supplier nations, along with the
risk of foreign market manipulation, necessitate action
under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act to
determine whether imports of copper, scrap copper, and
copper's derivative products threaten to impair
national security.

Sec. 2. Investigation Into the National Security Impact
of Copper Imports. (a) The Secretary of Commerce shall
initiate an investigation under section 232 of the
Trade Expansion Act to determine the effects on
national security of imports of copper in all forms,
including but not limited to:

(i) raw mined copper;

(ii) copper concentrates;

(iii) refined copper;

(iv) copper alloys;

(v) scrap copper; and

(vi) derivative products.

    (b) In conducting the investigation described in
subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of
Commerce shall assess the factors set forth in 19
U.S.C. 1862(d), labeled “Domestic production for
national defense; impact of foreign competition on
economic welfare of domestic industries,” as well as
other relevant factors, including:

(i) the current and projected demand for copper in United States defense,
energy, and critical infrastructure sectors;

(ii) the extent to which domestic production, smelting, refining, and
recycling can meet demand;

(iii) the role of foreign supply chains, particularly from major exporters,
in meeting United States demand;

(iv) the concentration of United States copper imports from a small number
of suppliers and the associated risks;

(v) the impact of foreign government subsidies, overcapacity, and predatory
trade practices on United States industry competitiveness;

(vi) the economic impact of artificially suppressed copper prices due to
dumping and state-sponsored overproduction;

(vii) the potential for export restrictions by foreign nations, including
the ability of foreign nations to weaponize their control over refined
copper supplies;

(viii) the feasibility of increasing domestic copper mining, smelting, and
refining capacity to reduce import reliance; and

(ix) the impact of current trade policies on domestic copper production and
whether additional measures, including tariffs or quotas, are necessary to
protect national security.

Sec. 3. Required Actions. (a) The Secretary of Commerce
shall consult with the Secretary of Defense, the
Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy, and
the heads of other relevant executive departments and
agencies as determined by the Secretary of Commerce to
evaluate the national security risks associated with
copper import dependency.

    (b) Within 270 days of the date of this order, the
Secretary of Commerce shall submit a report to the
President that includes:

(i) findings on whether United States dependence on copper imports
threatens national security;

(ii) recommendations on actions to mitigate such threats, including
potential tariffs, export controls, or incentives to increase domestic
production; and

(iii) policy recommendations for strengthening the United States copper
supply chain through strategic investments, permitting reforms, and
enhanced recycling initiatives.

Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order
shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or
the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

    (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with
applicable law and subject to the availability of
appropriations.

    (c) This order is not intended to, and does not,
create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,
enforceable at law or in equity by any party against
the United States, its departments, agencies, or
entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any
other person.

    (Presidential Sig.)

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    February 25, 2025.