Donald Trump on Wednesday announced plans to impose a 50% tariff on copper imported into the United States, a move that quickly drew heat from critics.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, the president hailed the metal’s strategic value to America, saying it’s the “second most used material by the Department of Defense!”
“America will, once again, build a DOMINANT Copper Industry,” he wrote. “THIS IS, AFTER ALL, OUR GOLDEN AGE!”
But economists, policy experts and others smelted down over what they saw as potential flaws: from possible price hikes for U.S. manufacturers and strained trade relationships with foreign countries to the question of whether America will be able to ramp up domestic production to counter what now won’t be imported on account of it being too expensive.
🤦🏼♀️ Good god, Trump is actively trying to destroy whole industries on his way out the door. Forget the defense industry, this decimates the construction industry. Between his tariffs on lumber, steel, and COVID his first term — how many times can he screw over builders his second… https://t.co/9HFPYELoVj
— Camille MacKenzie (@CamRMacKenzie) July 10, 2025
Trump says 50% tariff on copper will begin Aug. 1: CNBC
I didn’t know we had a trade deficit with copper. 🤷🏻♂️
— Steve Burns (@SJosephBurns) July 10, 2025
All these advanced manufactured goods using copper are reasons to have zero tariffs on the metal – even if you are pro tariff.
Tariffs on raw materials like copper as well as steel and other lower-end inputs discourages & raises cost of domestic manufacturing. pic.twitter.com/Jsu2kIXZ3z
— Ed Carson (@IBD_ECarson) July 10, 2025
I don’t understand the goal here. You only have a copper “industry” if you have copper in the ground. US has a lot in Arizona. It mines it. But it’s not enough. Even a 200% tariff isn’t going to change the reality of where we get our commodities. https://t.co/UADPc7bcgf
— Tracey Ryniec (@TraceyRyniec) July 10, 2025
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