The US president says this material is the “second most used” by the Department of Defense.
United States President Donald Trump announced that 50% tariffs on copper imports will take effect on August 1.
“I am announcing a 50% tariff on copper, starting on August 1, 2025, after having undergone a rigorous national security review,” the Republican said on Wednesday on the social network that holds, Truth Social.
On Tuesday, Trump had announced the imposition of a 50% tariff on copper, after having already applied steel and aluminum rates.
On the same day, the US president released plans for a rate up to 200% for pharmaceutical products if manufacturers do not establish factories in the United States.
“Why did our foolish (and sleepy!) ‘Leaders!) Have decimated this important industry? This 50% tariff will reverse the Biden administration’s irresponsibility and stupidity,” Trump said, in reference to previous Democratic President Joe Biden (2021-2025).
“The United States will rebuild a dominant copper industry. This is, after all, our golden age!” The Republican added.
Trump stressed that this material is the “second most used” by the US Department of Defense.
“Copper is necessary for semiconductors, airplanes, ships, ammunition, database, lithium -ion batteries, radar systems, anti -meat defense systems and even hypersonic weapons, which we are building many,” he added.
In February, Trump ordered the Department of Commerce to open an investigation into potential copper tariffs and submit a report within 270 days.
At the time, the US President threatened to impose a rate of up to 25% on copper imports, a measure that could disturb the global market of one of the world’s most omnipresent metals, used in electric pipes and cables.
The largest copper trade company in the world, Trefigura, estimated that the price could rise from $ 10,000 (9,270 euros) to $ 12,000 (11,126 euros) per ton.
In May, Trump imposed a minimum surcharge of 10% on all imports, but with exemptions, namely for gold, copper, oil and pharmaceutical products.
By 2024, the United States imported almost half of the copper they consumed, according to the US geological service, and most shipments came from Chile and Canada.
