Requests for Comment: Copper & Wood Products

Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security, U.S. Department of Commerce has launched two separate investigations to assess the impact of copper and wood product imports on national security. Initiated under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, these investigations will evaluate the reliance on foreign supply chains, potential risks to critical industries, and the feasibility of expanding domestic production. The Bureau of Industry and Security is soliciting public comments, with submissions due by April 1, 2025.

.ACTION: Notice of request for public comments.

SUMMARY:

The Secretary of Commerce has initiated investigations to determine the effects on national security of imports of (1) copper in all forms and (2) wood products, including timber, lumber, and derivative products. These investigations are being conducted under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended. Interested parties are invited to submit written comments, data, analyses, or other relevant information to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), U.S. Department of Commerce. This notice outlines key areas on which public input is sought.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted by April 1, 2025.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be submitted via the Federal rulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov:

• Copper Investigation: Regulations.gov ID: BIS-2025-0010. Reference X-RIN 0694-XC116.

• Wood Products Investigation: Regulations.gov ID: BIS-2025-0011. Reference X-RIN 0694-XC117.

Filers should use the name of the submitting entity as the file name. Business confidential information (BCI) should be clearly marked and justified with a corresponding non-confidential version provided. Confidential submissions should follow the instructions outlined in the original notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

• Copper Investigation: Stephen Astle, Director, Defense Industrial Base Division, Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce. Telephone: (202) 482-2533. Email: copper232@bis.doc.gov.

• Wood Products Investigation: Stephen Astle, Director, Defense Industrial Base Division, Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce. Telephone: (202) 482-2533. Email: wood232@bis.doc.gov.

For more information on Section 232 investigations, visit www.bis.doc.gov/232.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Copper Investigation Background

On February 25, 2025, the President issued Executive Order 14220, "Addressing the Threat to National Security from Imports of Copper" (90 FR 11001), directing the Secretary of Commerce to initiate a Section 232 investigation into the national security implications of copper imports. This investigation was officially initiated on March 10, 2025.

The Department seeks comments on factors relevant to national security, including:

1. Current and projected demand for copper in defense, energy, and critical infrastructure sectors.

2. The ability of domestic production, smelting, refining, and recycling to meet U.S. demand.

3. The role of foreign supply chains and major exporters in meeting U.S. demand.

4. Concentration of U.S. copper imports among a few suppliers and associated risks.

5. Impact of foreign government subsidies, overcapacity, and predatory trade practices on U.S. industry.

6. Economic impact of artificially suppressed copper prices due to dumping and state-sponsored overproduction.

7. Potential for foreign nations to impose export restrictions, affecting national security.

8. Feasibility of increasing domestic copper mining, smelting, and refining capacity.

9. The impact of trade policies on domestic copper production and the necessity of additional measures such as tariffs or quotas.

Wood Products Investigation Background

On March 1, 2025, the President issued Executive Order 14223, "Addressing the Threat to National Security from Imports of Timber, Lumber" (90 FR 11359), directing the Secretary of Commerce to investigate the national security effects of wood product imports. The investigation was initiated on March 10, 2025.

The Department seeks comments on factors including:

1. Current and projected demand for timber and lumber in the United States.

2. The ability of domestic production to meet demand.

3. The role of foreign supply chains in meeting U.S. timber and lumber needs.

4. The impact of foreign government subsidies and trade practices on U.S. competitiveness.

5. The feasibility of expanding domestic timber and lumber capacity to reduce import reliance.

6. The impact of trade policies on domestic timber, lumber, and derivative product production.

7. Whether additional measures, such as tariffs or quotas, are necessary to safeguard national security.

Public Inspection and Confidentiality

Materials submitted that contain business confidential information will be exempted from public disclosure under §705.6 of the regulations. Publicly accessible records related to this investigation will be available at https://efoia.bis.doc.gov/ under the "Electronic FOIA" section.

For assistance with public inspection requests, contact (202) 482-0795. The records will be accessible under the regulations published in part 4 of Title 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations (15 CFR 4.1 et seq.).

Eric Longnecker, Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security, Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce.