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The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has intensified his tariff initiatives by declaring the imposition of a 50% tariff on copper imports to the US and a similar duty on Brazilian goods, both coming into effect on August 1st.
“Announcing a 50% tariff on copper starting August 1, 2025, follows a comprehensive national security assessment,” Trump stated on Truth Social, referencing an ongoing probe into the significance of copper for national security.
This announcement was made shortly after Trump notified Brazil of an increase in its “reciprocal” tariff from the previous rate of 10% to 50%.
Trump initially introduced the idea of a copper tariff during a cabinet meeting, as referenced in an article linked early on Wednesday morning AEST, prompting companies to hasten their imports of copper from key exporters like Chile.
“America will, once again, build a dominant copper industry,” Trump wrote.
Trump’s Brazil tariff order
Trump also criticised what he said were Brazil’s attacks on free elections, Americans’ free speech, and “secret and unlawful censorship orders to US social media platforms”. He ordered the US Trade Representative’s office to launch a new “Section 301” unfair trade practices investigation that could add even more tariffs, citing “Brazil’s continued attacks on the digital trade activities of American companies”.
The South American country has held off on implementing a digital services tax but has sought to advance legislation with stronger competition regulations on digital platforms.
Trump issues tariff notices to seven minor trading partners
Trump’s rapid-fire tariff moves have cast a shadow over the global economic outlook, paralysing business decision-making.
