Trump sets start date for 50 per cent tariffs on copper imports

U.S. President Donald Trump has set a start date for the 50 per cent tariffs on copper imports he first announced earlier this week.

On Truth Social late last night, President Trump followed through on his plan to tariff copper, saying it will begin August 1.

In the social media post, he explains the decision to add copper to the list of imports already facing tariffs came after a national security assessment.

Trump went on to say copper is a highly sought-after material by the Department of Defence, and is used in the manufacturing of items like missile defense systems and hypersonic weapons.

According to Natural Resources Canada the U.S. was Canada’s largest copper importer in 2023, making up more than half of the total export value.

Trade union Unifor commented on the tariff threat when it was first announced this week, calling it a “direct attack on Canadian workers and another move that threatens jobs, industries, and entire communities.”

The impacts of this move would likely be felt the most in Quebec, where most copper exports originate and where the country’s only copper smelter — the Horne Smelter — is located in Rouyn-Noranda.

Not everyone in the industry is worried, however — some Canadian mining companies have seemingly shrugged off the threat, citing high export numbers to China.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has yet to comment directly on the move, but the country has several counter measures in place against existing taxes from Trump.

The copper tariffs mark the fourth major levy Trump has imposed, with imported cars, steel and aluminum facing steep tariffs already.

Trump sent out so-called tariff letters yesterday to seven of the United States’ smaller trading partners. Some of the countries on the receiving end include the Philippines, Algeria and Iraq.

Brazil is also facing threats of 50 per cent tariffs — with Trump alleging the country’s president is undertaking a “witch hunt” over charges to its right-wing former leader.

Some industry experts are saying this latest round of tariffs on copper won’t impact Canada as much as it will American companies — but concern for the industry is still high.

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