Congressional Research Service report on tariffs on copper imports

27 April 2026

The US Congressional Research Service (CRS) has published a report on tariffs on copper imports. The purpose of the report is to inform members of Congress about key aspects of the US President’s copper tariffs to make decisions on future tariff decisions, including a scheduled review of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

The report relates to the following bills under consideration by Congress, among others:

• The Congressional Trade Authority Act and the Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act – if passed, these will require congressional approval for presidential import adjustments security grounds.

• The Protecting Families from Inflation Act – if passed, this will require the Federal Reserve to study and report on the collective impact of US tariffs since 2017 on consumers and small businesses.

• The Trade Review Act – if passed, this will require that the President notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing or increasing a duty on articles imported into the US and give Congress an ability to vote down Presidential tariffs.

The report says:

• The US imposed 50% tariffs on certain copper imports under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act in August 2025, which were modified in April 2026.

• The Commerce Secretary is due to provide an update on US copper markets by 30 June 2026, after which the President may determine whether to impose duties on refined copper.

• The US imported USD 16.2 billion in copper products in 2025. Opinions differ as to the merits of increasing tariffs on copper imports to the US.

• Congress may consider whether it should expand the President’s tariff authorities or exercise increased oversight over the US executive branch.

The CRS is a non-partisan research service that does not provide policy recommendations. All US congressional reports relating to sanctions, export controls and tariffs are on our US guidance section of this site.