Trump revokes copper smelter regulations from the Biden administration

A Biden-era air pollution regulation that placed more stringent restrictions on emissions from copper smelters was overturned by U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday.

Finalized in May 2024, the copper rule mandated that smelters reduce lead, arsenic, mercury, benzene, and dioxins in accordance with new federal air requirements.

The White House said that by easing regulatory constraints on domestic copper miners, Trump’s proclamation, which offers a two-year exemption from compliance for impacted stationary sources, will contribute to the advancement of American mineral security.

“Imposing these requirements on such a limited and already strained domestic industry risks accelerating further closures, weakening the Nation’s industrial base, undermining mineral independence, and increasing reliance on foreign-controlled processing capacity,” the White House stated when it announced the modifications.

The decree particularly mentioned the two sole copper smelters in the United States: Rio Tinto (RIO.L), opens new tab, and Freeport-McMoRan (FCX.N), opens new tab. Although it was indicated that the ruling would apply to Freeport’s smelter, it was unclear at first how Rio Tinto’s operation would be impacted.

A request for comment was not immediately answered by the two businesses.

Earlier this year, Trump issued an executive order recognizing copper as a vital component for infrastructure, security, and cutting-edge technology like electric cars and renewable energy.
In order to ascertain if copper imports pose a danger to U.S. national security, especially given reliance on a limited number of foreign suppliers, a Section 232 inquiry was initiated.
After the evaluation, the government required a growing proportion of high-quality scrap copper produced in the United States to be sold locally and levied a 50% duty on certain imported copper.