The US will impose a steep 50% tariff on imports of semi-finished copper and copper-based products starting August 1. The decision, announced under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, aims to reduce foreign dependence and protect domestic copper supply for sectors like defense, energy, and infrastructure.However, policy think-tank Global Trade Research Initiative sees this protectionist measure as one that may ultimately backfire. Copper is central to modern manufacturing—from electric vehicles and power grids to semiconductors and defense electronics. A sudden spike in copper input costs threatens to disrupt supply chains, raise prices, and slow production across these industries, GTRI warns.
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