The Korean government urged the U.S. Department of Commerce to conduct a reasonable investigation, warning that imposing tariffs on Korean copper products could hinder the activities of Korean battery companies investing in the United States.
According to the U.S. Federal Register on the 13th (local time), the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy submitted its position on the U.S. investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act regarding copper imports on the 1st.
In its statement, the ministry said that Korean copper products do not pose a threat to U.S. national security but rather contribute positively to the U.S. economy and supply chain stability. It noted that copper tariffs could raise copper prices in the U.S., weakening the competitiveness of American manufacturers and disrupting supply chains, thereby harming U.S. security and the economy.
Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act grants the president the authority to restrict imports through measures such as tariffs if the import of certain items threatens national security.
Under the direction of former U.S. President Donald Trump, the Department of Commerce began investigating copper imports on the 10th of last month. Given the Trump administration’s policy stance, import restrictions such as tariffs are expected to follow.
The ministry pointed out that Korean products account for only about 3% of total U.S. copper imports and are mainly used in industries such as construction, water supply, and power infrastructure, which have limited direct connection to national defense, thus limiting their impact on security. It also stated that Korean companies investing in the U.S., which contribute to the American economy and job creation, use Korean copper foil, noting that most Korean copper foil is supplied to Korean battery manufacturers who have invested approximately $46.5 billion in the U.S. and created over 10,000 jobs.
The ministry said, "Uncertainty surrounding the stable supply of key materials, including copper foil, could jeopardize not only the feasibility of long-term investments but also the stability of quality jobs." It added, "The Korean government requests a reasonable investigation by the U.S. Department of Commerce, considering Korea’s positive contributions to the U.S. economy, and hopes to seek mutually beneficial outcomes with the U.S. government regarding bilateral copper trade between Korea and the United States."
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