The White House has not decided on refined copper tariffs, and the plan has stalled as officials weigh higher manufacturing and affordability costs against incentives for domestic mining, Reuters reported Sep. 10, citing two people familiar with the matter. An on-record White House official confirmed no final decision and said the administration continues to evaluate options to reshore copper. The official also confirmed Commerce provided an update to Trump by a June 30 White House deadline.
Trump had tasked Commerce Secretary Lutnick with recommending whether to impose a 15% tariff from Jan. 1, 2027, rising to 30% in 2028; it was not immediately clear what Lutnick recommended. Those figures are tasked recommendation parameters only, not imposed duty rates or effective dates. Record copper prices and U.S. stockpiling ahead of feared duties are background.
Sources: Reuters (Jarrett Renshaw, Ernest Scheyder), Sep. 10, 2026.
