President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation ordering 50 per cent tariffs on certain copper imports.
The White House cited “national security” in announcing the proclamation, which will take effect Friday.
Officials said the tariff will apply to semi-finished copper products and copper-intensive derivative products.
It will exclude copper scrap and copper input materials, such as copper ores, concentrates, mattes, cathodes, and anodes.
An investigation ordered by Trump in February found the U.S. has a “massive trade deficit in, and an unsustainable dependence on, many foreign copper products.”
“Foreign competitors’ predatory practices and excessive environmental regulations have undercut the American copper industry and domestic investment in smelting, refining, and fabrication facilities,” said the White House.
Trump first threatened a 50 per cent tariff on copper products in early July.
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