Tariff Talk

The Section 232 investigation under the Trade Expansion Act on copper has concluded with a Presidential Proclamation and accompanying fact sheet indicating a 50% tariff on semi-finished and intensive copper derivative products, effective August 1. The order does not include raw input materials.

Formal notice with affected HTS codes is pending. However, semi-finished products are defined as copper pipes, wires, rods, sheets, and tubes, while derivative products include pipe fittings, cables, connectors, and electrical components. The ITC investigation into copper products, which concluded a month ago, also recommends tariffs on refined copper starting in 2027, along with export controls for high-quality copper scrap.

As with other Section 232 tariffs (such as those on steel and aluminum), these are not eligible for drawback treatment and may expand as commodity definitions evolve. For now, copper input materials—such as ores, concentrates, cathodes, anodes, and scrap—are not subject to the new tariff. The order also directs the Secretary of Commerce to enact measures ensuring that purchases under the Defense Production Act meet minimum U.S. content requirements and to continue reviewing copper for potential additional tariffs.