South Korea has urged the US to refrain from imposing tariffs on Korean copper products, raising concerns that such measures could undermine Korean companies’ investments in the US.
According to the US Federal Register on Sunday, Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy submitted a formal opinion to the US Department of Commerce on April 1, emphasizing that Korean copper imports pose no threat to US national security.
In its submission, the ministry highlighted that Korean copper accounts for only about 3 percent of total US copper imports and is primarily used in sectors such as construction, waterworks and power infrastructure — industries with limited connection to national defense. It argued that the national security impact of Korean copper imports is “minimal.”
The ministry also noted that Korean copper foil is essential for Korean battery manufacturers that have invested approximately $46.5 billion in the US, creating over 10,000 jobs. These companies rely heavily on Korean copper products, and disruptions to supply could jeopardize both ongoing investments and job creation, it said.
“Uncertainty surrounding the stable supply of key materials like copper foil could threaten not only the feasibility of long-term investments but also the stability of high-quality jobs,” the ministry stated.
It also warned that tariffs could drive up domestic copper prices in the US, weakening the competitiveness of American manufacturers and disrupting already fragile supply chains. The ministry argued this would ultimately undermine the very national security objectives the measure seeks to protect.
“We look forward to a mutually beneficial outcome in bilateral copper trade between Korea and the US,” the ministry said. It called on the Commerce Department to conduct a rational and fair review, taking into account Korea’s positive contributions to the US economy.
The Korean ministry’s opinion was submitted in response to the US government’s ongoing investigation under Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act, which authorizes the president to impose import restrictions, including tariffs, if a specific product is deemed a threat to national security. The US Department of Commerce accepted public comments through April 1.
The investigation was launched on March 10 under orders from US President Donald Trump.
Copper was excluded from the "reciprocal" tariffs announced on April 2. However, depending on the outcome of the Commerce Department’s investigation, product-specific tariffs on copper could still be imposed.
By Jo He-rim (herim@heraldcorp.com)
