The U.S.’ recently implemented tariff on copper imports will not apply to cars and auto parts, per a report from Automotive Dive.
In early July, U.S. President Donald Trump first announced plans for a 50% tariff on copper imports, following the results of a Section 232 investigation he received from the Commerce Secretary on June 30.
The report claimed the U.S. is overly reliant on copper imports, posing a national security risk. It also calls for more tariffs to be phased in through 2028, including a 15% tariff on refined copper that would start in 2027, and increasing to 30% in 2028, as well as a 25% domestic sales requirement for copper inputs and scrap, and export controls.
The executive order signed last Wednesday, which put a 50% copper tariff into effect as of Aug. 1, will also have the Commerce Secretary deliver a report on the state of the domestic copper industry, in order to determine whether additional tariffs on refined copper should be implemented.
Though the tariff will apply to all imports of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products, any cars and auto parts impacted by the tariff on copper will instead just be covered by previously announced 25% automotive duties.
