UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — U.S. tariff pull on copper drains China warehouses

Question 1

With reference to the U.S. Section 232 investigations initiated by the Trump administration in 2025, consider the following sectors:
1. Pharmaceuticals
2. Semiconductors
3. Textiles and apparel
4. Commercial aircraft and jet engines
Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a sector placed under a Section 232 national-security investigation in 2025?

Accepted Answer

3 only

Answer

1 and 3

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 4

Question 2

Which one of the following countries is the single largest source of refined copper imports into the United States, accounting for the bulk of the over 90% supplied by three American-continent producers?

Accepted Answer

Chile

Answer

Canada

Answer

Peru

Answer

Mexico

Question 3

With reference to the use of Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act, 1962 by the two Trump administrations, consider the following statements:
1. The 2018 action under Section 232 imposed a 25% tariff on steel and a 10% tariff on aluminium imports.
2. The 2025 proclamation under Section 232 imposed a 50% tariff on copper imports with effect from 1 August 2025.
3. Unlike the 2018 action, the 2025 copper tariff was imposed without any prior investigation by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 4

Under Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act, 1962, within how many days of initiation must the U.S. Secretary of Commerce submit findings of the investigation to the President?

Accepted Answer

270 days

Answer

90 days

Answer

180 days

Answer

365 days

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — U.S. tariff pull on copper drains China warehouses

Q2. Which one of the following countries is the single largest source of refined copper imports into the United States, accounting for the bulk of the over 90% supplied by three American-continent producers?

Q4. Under Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act, 1962, within how many days of initiation must the U.S. Secretary of Commerce submit findings of the investigation to the President?