Vice President JD Vance swore in Howard Lutnick as Trump's secretary of commerce at the White House on Friday.

In a ceremony at the White House today, Trump's Secretary of Commerce nominee, Howard Lutnick was sworn into duty.

Tariffs, if they are imposed, could boost U.S. production of a valuable resource but also raise costs for automakers, construction companies and others.

Vice President JD Vance and President Trump were in the Oval Office for the ceremony. Lutnick was confirmed by the Senate in a 51-45 vote. He will help oversee Trump's economic agenda, including tariffs and developing a sovereign wealth fund.

The Senate has confirmed wealthy financier Howard Lutnick as commerce secretary. The confirmation vote Tuesday puts Lutnick in charge of the Commerce Department, where he will oversee 50,000 employees

President Donald Trump is attending the swearing-in ceremonies for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and FBI Director Kash Patel.

President Trump on Tuesday directed his Commerce secretary to investigate the need for possible tariffs on copper, the latest industry to potentially be targeted by Trump’s sweeping trade agenda.

The White House suggested Tuesday there is a strong case for copper import protections because the metal is an essential component of military hardware.

White House officials say they have no immediate plans to take over the service. But the president suggested he would consider a major reorganization of the agency.

President Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order opening an investigation into whether foreign production and imports of copper threatens America’s economic and national security.

President Donald Trump says he may put the U.S. Postal Service under the control of the Commerce Department in what would amount to an executive branch takeover of the independent agency.

Experts say the move would likely violate the law. Trump said Friday that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick would be “looking at” the mail agency.