Trump plans 50% tariffs on copper pipe

The Trump administration said it will put a 50% tariff on certain imported copper goods, such as copper pipe, tubes, cable and other partly finished products. The move surprised markets because it is much narrower than the broad threat that was first floated.

Not as broad as first hinted

At first, the president suggested the tariff might apply to almost all copper imports, including ores and cathodes. But the official policy leaves out raw materials like ore, concentrates, cathodes and scrap. That means the levy hits semi-finished and copper-intensive products, not the main outputs of mines and smelters.

Market and industry effects

Traders had expected a much wider tariff, so the prices moved quickly. US copper futures on Comex fell sharply, which wiped out a recent premium over London prices. Analysts said the change looks like a last-minute pullback by the administration to avoid bigger damage to the economy. If you’re in search of copper pipe, there are many merchants and manufacturers that can help.

What Will Happen to Companies?

Mining companies are likely to feel the biggest impact of this situation. Firms that focus on US copper production, as well as developers working on new mines, will not get much help from this policy. At the same time, countries that export raw copper materials, such as Chile and Peru, are less affected because their main exports were excluded.

Many in the industry now expect further policy adjustments, as the government tries to balance national security concerns with pressure from miners, builders and electrical firms.