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….