Trump mulls imposing tariffs on copper imports

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the Department of Commerce to investigate the country's copper imports and assess whether tariffs should be imposed due to national security concerns.

Any tariffs on copper imports will be determined based on the findings of the investigation, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing a White House official.

The unnamed official stated that Trump favors imposing a tariff on copper rather than establishing import quotas.

The US president's decision to initiate the investigation was based on Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the same provision he used to impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports.

This decision stems from Trump's advisers' belief that China is striving to dominate the global copper market.

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro stated during Trump's signing of the executive order that China is utilizing government subsidies and excess production capacity to weaken competition and dominate global copper production.