The Commerce Department will investigate imposing tariffs on global copper imports to the U.S., White House officials said Tuesday, the first step toward likely levying duties on the metal. Commerce will open the investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act,

Another industrial metal is in the spotlight, once again due to President Trump. Copper prices are rallying after Trump instructed the Commerce Department to investigate imposing tariffs on imports of the metal.

US President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation of copper imports in what is a first step toward potential tariffs on the metal. Administration officials said the White House wanted to find ways to boost US production of copper,

President Trump ordered Commerce to study whether tariffs are needed to reduce the U.S. reliance upon imported copper, needed for military equipment, data centers and electric vehicles.

The White House suggested Tuesday there is a strong case for copper import protections because the metal is an essential component of military hardware.

Tariffs, if they are imposed, could boost U.S. production of a valuable resource but also raise costs for automakers, construction companies and others.

The U.S. mined about 1.1 million tons of copper in 2024, which is less than the demand in a year. Some of that copper is refined overseas.

China's growing copper reserves have caught the eye of President Donald Trump, who on Tuesday ordered an investigation into what administration officials say is Beijing's move to "gain control of the world's copper markets.

Countries are exploring possible deals with the United States to ease tariff rates, which the US treasury secretary said this week were a crucial part of Donald Trump's economic policy, as the president suddenly ordered a probe into potential new tariffs on copper imports that looks to have China in its sights.

President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Tuesday to propose tariffs on yet another critical raw material needed in U.S. industry."Like our Steel and Aluminum Industries, our Great American Copper Industry has been decimated by global actors attacking our domestic production,