On April 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated a Section 232 investigation into semiconductor imports, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and related products. The investigation aims to evaluate the impact of these imports on national security, covering components from standalone semiconductors to finished products like smartphones and laptops. The comment period is open until May 7, 2025, and interested parties can submit comments via the Federal rulemaking portal.

The U.S. Department of Commerce initiated a Section 232 investigation on April 1, 2025, into semiconductor imports and related products to evaluate their impact on national security. The investigation covers semiconductors, substrates, bare wafers, and other components, with a focus on demand, production capacity, and foreign dependence. Public comments are sought until May 7, 2025.

On 2025-04-05, the U.S. began collecting a 10% tariff on imports from many countries, marking a significant shift in global trade norms. The tariffs, announced by President Donald Trump, have had a substantial impact on global stock markets, wiping out $5 trillion in stock market value for S&P 500 companies within two days. Countries like Australia, Britain, Colombia, Argentina, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia were among the first hit. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection provided a 51-day grace period for cargoes loaded onto vessels or planes and in transit before the initial 10% tariff took effect.

The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is among the federal agencies targeted for spending cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency. The closure of nearly 34 MSHA offices in 19 states is projected to save $18 million, but could lead to less thorough inspections, impacting coal mining safety. MSHA's responsibilities include enforcing mine safety laws and conducting regular inspections of mines.

The United States is in talks to invest billions of dollars in mineral-rich Congo, aiming to end a conflict in the country's east. President Donald Trump's senior adviser for Africa, Massadadlos, met with Congo President Felix Tshisekedi to discuss the potential development of the country's critical minerals. Congo's vast reserves of cobalt, lithium, and uranium are currently dominated by China. The U.S. aims to stimulate local economies and promote peace in the region, where thousands have been killed and hundreds of thousands have been displaced due to the M23 rebels' advance.