US President Donald Trump announced the introduction of a 50 percent customs duty on copper imports from August 1. He announced this in a statement published on his account on the social network Truth Social.
“After a thorough assessment from the point of view of national security, I announce the introduction of a 50 percent tariff for copper, starting on August 1,” he said.
The president emphasized that copper plays a key role in the production of semiconductors, aircraft, ships, ammunition, data centers, lithium-ion batteries, as well as in radio-power systems, missile defense and hypersonic weapons.
According to him, this is the second most important material used by the US Department of Defense.
Critping “stupid and sluggish leaders”, who allegedly destroyed the American copper industry, Trump added that the fee of 50% would be a response to “recklessness and stupidity” of the Biden administration.
“America will build a dominant copper industry again. In the end, this is our golden era,” he said.