Overview
- Congressional researchers detail that the 50% copper tariffs took effect August 1 on semi‑finished and copper‑intensive derivative products, while ores, concentrates, cathodes, anodes, and scrap are excluded.
- The Commerce Department has about 11 active Section 232 investigations, including new probes into personal protective equipment and robotics, and the President has announced forthcoming tariffs on certain trucks, furniture, and pharmaceuticals.
- U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said tariffs will remain a core policy tool even if the Supreme Court curbs IEEPA authority, signaling continued reliance on Section 232.
- The copper proclamation was issued July 30 based on a Commerce finding that imports threaten national security, and as of late September the underlying Commerce report had not been published.
- Legal analysts warn of potential vulnerabilities from the volume of concurrent probes, presidential pre‑announcements before published findings, and broad use of 'derivatives,' while the administration pursues exemptions and coordination with partners such as Japan and the United Kingdom.