The Copper Initiative

The Copper Initiative brings together independent analysis, dynamic events, and productive dialogues between government officials, private industry, and subject-matter experts to create policy solutions to meet future copper demand for national security, economic competitiveness and energy resilience

Copper is the bedrock of national security, economic competitiveness and energy resilience. It is vital for manufacturing defense technologies, powering AI applications, and modernizing the electric grid. By 2030, the US is projected to need an estimated 1 million metric tons of copper just to power data centers. Despite facing a looming long-term copper shortage, the Department of Interior has yet to designate copper as a critical mineral.

The CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program launched the Copper Initiative to bring together independent analysis, dynamic events, and productive dialogues between government officials, private industry, and subject-matter experts to develop policy solutions to help the US meet future demand for this strategic mineral.

Establishing a robust and secure copper supply demands a comprehensive strategy. This involves resolving domestic permitting bottlenecks, forging strategic alliances with copper-rich regions globally, developing incentives to build production and refining capabilities, boosting mapping and exploration efforts, and facilitating access to capital. While it is a long-term endeavor, immediate action is essential.

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Analysis

Photo: Oleksii/Adobe Stock

Photo: Oleksii/Adobe Stock

Friendshoring Copper: A New Pillar of the U.S.-Brazilian Economic Partnership

Brazil is rich in critical minerals and rapidly becoming a copper hotspot. While China has established a dominant position in Brazil’s mining sector, U.S. engagement remains limited. The U.S. must step up with financing, supply-chain integration, and smarter trade tools.

Brief by Gracelin Baskaran, Meredith Schwartz, and Bryan Harris — September 11, 2025

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Can U.S. Economic Support Unlock Argentina’s Mineral Potential? | Mapping Minerals Diplomacy

Video — September 10, 2025

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Friendshoring Copper: A New Pillar of the U.S.-Brazilian Economic Partnership

Brazil is rich in critical minerals and rapidly becoming a copper hotspot. While China has established a dominant position in Brazil’s mining sector, U.S. engagement remains limited. The U.S. must step up with financing, supply-chain integration, and smarter trade tools.

Brief by Gracelin Baskaran, Meredith Schwartz, and Bryan Harris — September 11, 2025

Rethinking Copper Tariffs

President Trump recently imposed a 50 percent tariff on all copper imports, citing national security concerns. Although intended to strengthen domestic production, the United States’ dependence on foreign smelting could disrupt supply chains and increase China’s market share.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — July 23, 2025

Audio Briefs

Rethinking Copper Tariffs

An audio version of “⁠Rethinking Copper Tariffs⁠,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — July 23, 2025

Audio Briefs

Reviving Cobre Panamá Could Be Strategic to U.S. Minerals Security

The shutdown of Cobre Panamá —one of the world's largest copper mines—amid political upheaval has disrupted global copper supply and hurt Panama's economy. U.S. diplomatic support to negotiations could help revive the mine and secure a stable, allied copper supply chain.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran and Paula Reynal — April 8, 2025