The U.S. Commerce Department is investigating the National Security impact of uranium imports, launching a process on Wednesday that could lead to tariffs.

The formal probe, which follows a petition filed by U.S. uranium mining companies, is to examine whether the current “quantity and circumstances’’ of imports of uranium ore and uranium products threaten national security, the department said in a statement.

The investigation will cover the entire uranium sector, including mining, enrichment and uses in defence and industrial applications.

“Our production of uranium necessary for military and electric power has dropped from 49 per cent of our consumption to 5 per cent,’’ Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said.

“The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security will conduct a thorough, fair and transparent review to determine whether uranium imports threaten to impair national security.’’

NAN