Trump: 50% Tariffs on Copper Starting August 1

US President Donald Trump has announced that 50% tariffs on copper imports will come into effect on August 1.

"I am announcing a 50% tariff on copper, effective August 1, 2025, after having passed a rigorous national security review ," the Republican said on Wednesday on the social network he owns, Truth Social.

On Tuesday, Trump announced the imposition of a 50% tariff on copper, after already applying similar tariffs to steel and aluminum.

On the same day, the US President announced plans for a tariff of up to 200% on pharmaceutical products if manufacturers do not establish factories in the United States.

"Why did our foolish (and sleepy!) 'leaders' decimate this important industry? This 50% tariff will reverse the irresponsibility and stupidity of the Biden Administration," Trump said, referring to the former 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 United States Department of Defense.

"Copper is needed for semiconductors, airplanes, ships, ammunition, data centers, lithium-ion batteries, radar systems, missile defense systems, and even hypersonic weapons, of which we are building many," he added.

In February, Trump ordered the Commerce Department to open an investigation into potential copper tariffs and report back within 270 days.

At the time, the US President threatened to impose a tariff of up to 25% on copper imports, a measure that could disrupt the global market for one of the world's most ubiquitous metals, used in pipes and electrical cables.

The world's largest copper trading company, Trafigura, estimated the price could rise from $10,000 (€9,270) to $12,000 (€11,126) per tonne.

In May, Trump imposed a minimum 10% tariff on all imports, but with exemptions, notably for gold, copper, oil and pharmaceuticals.

In 2024, the United States imported nearly half of its copper consumption, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, with most shipments coming from Chile and Canada.