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US President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation into copper imports in what is a first step towards potential rates on metal.
Administration officials said the White House wanted to find ways to stimulate American copper production, a component used to make electric cars, ships and data centers which, they said, were vital for security national.
This decision is launching a process that Trump previously used to put prices on steel and aluminum, opening a new front in his trade war.
Trump has already raised prices on goods from China, while threatening a range of more radical commercial actions, including a 25% border tax on the goods of Canada and Mexico and new “reciprocal” prices set for each country.
Commercial fighting has aroused threats of reprisals, while jumping for alarm among consumers and businesses in the United States on higher costs.
The concerns about plans have contributed to a sharp drop in consumer confidence in recent surveys.
But administration officials said on Tuesday that they thought that this action was necessary to protect US copper companies from China competition.
“China has long used industrial capacity and spill as an economic weapon to dominate global markets, systematically undercoating competitors and stimulating competitors,” said Peter Navarro.
“It’s time for copper to go home,” said trade secretary Howard Lutnick.
Prices are taxes billed on goods imported from other countries, which are paid by the company which causes goods.
They are intended to support domestic production by making imports more expensive.
The United States is already a large copper producer, while importantly the metal of Chile, Canada and Mexico.
Last year, he exported more copper than he brought from abroad, according to data from the census service.
But global copper exports in China also increased, as domestic demand has weakened and the authorities have run to limit production.
The so-called survey 232 of the trade department will examine copper imports, as well as imports of copper “derivatives”.
The chronology of the probe was not clear. During an action information point, a White House official said that the survey results would shed light on the possible rates.
