The 1980s is a period of adjustment for the copper industry governed by market forces. In this process, sharp frictions have been generated between producers from different regions and also dissimilar production costs. This article briefly describes the structural situation of the copper industry in the United States and analyzes the reaction of groups affected by the copper crisis in that country, within the more general framework of the political and technical debate on industrial policy. The likely effect and effectiveness of the import restriction requested by copper producers from the International Trade Commission (ITC) is analyzed in particular, and the reasons for the presidential rejection of such proposals are considered. Finally, ways are suggested to accelerate the adjustment process and reduce the intensity of friction between producers.
Keywords:
Copper Industry, United States, Protectionism and Restructuring, Copper Crisis, Production Policies
Author Biographies
Isabel Marshall, Escuela de Ingeniería, Universidad de Chile
Economista, profesora de introducción a la economía en la Escuela de Ingeniería de la Universidad de Chile.
Enrique Silva, Escuela de Ingeniería, Universidad de Chile
Economista, profesor de economía de los recursos naturales en la Escuela de Ingeniería de la Universidad de Chile.
José Luis Mardones, Escuela de Ingeniería, Universidad de Chile
Ingeniero civil industrial, profesor de macroeconomía en la Escuela de Ingeniería de la Universidad de Chile.
Marshall, I., Silva, E., & Mardones, J. L. (1985). Proteccionismo y restructuración en la industria del cobre : las políticas de los productores. Estudios Internacionales, 18(69), p. 87–109. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-3769.1985.15837
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