Kristina Roberts
U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to cancel an important air pollution rule that was created during Joe Biden’s presidency. This rule, which came into effect in May 2024, had asked copper smelters—factories that extract copper from ore—to reduce the release of harmful chemicals into the air. These chemicals included lead, mercury, arsenic, benzene, and dioxins, all of which can cause serious harm to both people and the environment.
President Trump announced this reversal on Friday, explaining that the rule would now be suspended for two years. His decision gives copper companies more time before they have to meet the strict pollution limits set by the Biden administration. According to the White House, this move aims to protect the country’s mineral security and strengthen America’s industrial base by reducing the rules and restrictions placed on local copper producers.
In a statement, the White House said, “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.”
This statement reflects the government’s concern that if the pollution rule continued, American copper smelters might face higher costs and could even shut down. That, in turn, would make the country more dependent on other nations for copper, a metal that plays a crucial role in various industries such as defense, electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy.
Currently, there are only two major copper smelters in the United States. One is operated by Freeport-McMoRan Inc., a leading mining company based in Arizona, and the other is run by Rio Tinto, a global mining giant. Trump’s new proclamation mainly mentions Freeport-McMoRan’s facility, but it remains unclear how much the decision will affect Rio Tinto’s plant. Both companies have not yet given any public statements or comments about the change.
Copper smelters are vital for America’s economy because they provide the refined copper needed for industries ranging from construction to technology. However, these factories also release pollutants into the air, which can be dangerous to nearby communities if not controlled. That is why the Biden administration had introduced the stricter pollution rule—to protect the health of people living near these industrial areas and to support cleaner air nationwide. Environmental groups had welcomed the rule when it was first announced, calling it a much-needed step toward reducing toxic emissions.
But President Trump and his administration see things differently. They believe that such rules place unnecessary pressure on industries that are already struggling to compete globally. The White House argues that lifting these restrictions, at least temporarily, will encourage local production and reduce the country’s dependence on copper imports. They also say that a lighter regulatory approach will help make the U.S. more self-reliant when it comes to critical materials like copper.
Earlier this year, President Trump signed an executive order naming copper as a “critical material” for the United States. This means copper is considered essential for the nation’s defense systems, infrastructure projects, and new technologies, including renewable energy and electric vehicles. Since copper is used in wiring, motors, and batteries, it plays a key role in the growing clean energy sector. However, most of the copper that the U.S. needs is imported from other countries, such as Chile, Peru, and China.
Following that executive order, the government began a special investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. This law allows the government to check whether imports of a particular material threaten national security. The goal was to find out if America’s reliance on foreign copper sources could put its defense and economic stability at risk.
After the review, the administration decided to take new steps to protect domestic copper production. It introduced a 50% tariff on certain types of imported copper, meaning foreign copper would become more expensive to buy in the U.S. In addition, the government also directed that a growing share of high-quality scrap copper produced within the country must be sold to American manufacturers instead of being exported.
These measures, together with the suspension of Biden’s pollution rule, are meant to push companies to produce and process more copper within the country. The administration believes that this approach will make the United States more secure, create jobs, and reduce dependence on international suppliers who might control prices or restrict exports in the future.
However, not everyone agrees with this decision. Environmental activists and health experts have warned that rolling back pollution rules could have dangerous consequences. They argue that exposure to heavy metals like lead and mercury can cause serious health problems, especially for children and older adults. Communities living near copper smelters may face an increased risk of breathing problems, neurological issues, and other diseases if emissions are not properly controlled.
These critics say that economic growth should not come at the cost of public health or environmental protection. They believe that with modern technology, it is possible to run copper smelters more efficiently and safely, without causing as much harm to the environment. Some have also expressed concern that reversing the Biden-era rule could slow down progress toward cleaner energy, since pollution control is a key part of building a sustainable future.
Supporters of Trump’s decision, on the other hand, believe that American industries have been overregulated for too long. They say that businesses need more flexibility to operate and invest in the country. They argue that by cutting down on strict rules, companies will have more money to improve equipment, hire workers, and expand operations, which will ultimately benefit the U.S. economy.
The debate over how to balance economic growth and environmental protection is not new. Over the years, both Democratic and Republican governments have taken different approaches to this issue. Biden’s administration focused more on climate goals and cleaner energy, while Trump’s current policies prioritize domestic production and industrial independence.
For now, copper smelters in the United States have two years of relief from the strict pollution standards. What happens after that will depend on future environmental studies, industrial developments, and possibly even the outcome of the next election.
