Closing de minimis means that commercial shipments from overseas vendors must enter the United States through standard customs procedures, submit full import documentation, and pay applicable duties and taxes—a long-overdue reform to restore order and accountability to America’s trade system.
Today’s action to directly target the midstream layer—rods, pipes, wires, connectors, and other semi-finished copper products that are essential to our economy and national security is extremely welcome. Combining the Section 232 action with the use of the Defense Production Act to ensure a robust supply of copper scrap for recycling is extraordinary.
The United States has become incredibly dependent on imports to meet its daily pharmaceutical needs. This heavy reliance on imports is now creating serious drug shortages and has led to a flurry of safety concerns.