Bill Proposes Making Executive Order on Copper Import Security Permanent

This straightforward piece of legislation aims to do one thing: take Executive Order 14220, originally focused on national security risks tied to copper imports, and make it a permanent fixture. It also explicitly keeps all the actions and regulations already established under that order in effect indefinitely.

Locking Down the Copper Strategy

Executive Order 14220, signed back in February 2025, was initially set up to examine how much the U.S. relies on foreign copper and whether that reliance poses a security risk. Copper is essential for everything from defense systems and electrical grids to electric vehicles and electronics. The order acknowledged that while the U.S. has copper reserves, our capacity to process it (smelting and refining) lags behind global competitors, with one foreign producer dominating the market. EO 14220 directed the Secretary of Commerce to assess this situation and recommend ways to boost domestic production and strengthen the supply chain. This bill essentially says, "That assessment and the rules born from it? They're here to stay."

What Does Permanent Mean in Practice?

Making this order permanent means any trade restrictions, assessments, or initiatives started under EO 14220 continue without needing periodic renewal by future administrations or specific legislative action. For industries that rely heavily on copper – like construction, manufacturing, and tech – this could mean long-term stability in policies favoring domestic copper sourcing. However, it could also mean sustained higher costs if import restrictions remain firmly in place, potentially impacting prices for consumers down the line for goods containing copper.

The Long View on Executive Power

The core change here, as outlined in Section 1, is extending the life of an executive action indefinitely. Typically, executive orders can be reviewed or reversed by subsequent presidents. This bill seeks to cement EO 14220 and its associated regulations, potentially limiting future flexibility in trade policy related to copper imports. It keeps 'all actions and regulations issued under it' active, which could maintain a broad set of rules impacting trade and domestic industry without built-in mechanisms for regular legislative review or adjustment based on changing global market conditions.