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Trump Copper Tariffs Spark Concern
July 10, 2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 1 minute
President Donald Trump stated on July 8 that he plans to impose a 50% tariff on copper imports, sparking concern in a global industry whose output is critical to electric vehicles, military hardware, semiconductors, and a wide range of consumer goods. According to Yahoo Finance, copper futures climbed over 2% following tariff confirmation.
Trump did not state when he planned to introduce the new tariffs, but on July 8, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that they would likely implement the duties by the end of July or Aug. 1, Reuters reported.
Trump ordered a probe in February into possible copper tariffs, citing a November deadline as part of efforts to rebuild U.S. production of the metal. However, it was unclear if the investigation into imports of raw mined copper, concentrates, alloys, scrap, and derivatives had finished.
The U.S. produces just over half the refined copper it uses annually, much of which comes from Arizona, where a stalled major mine expansion has lasted for more than a decade. The U.S. imports the rest—just under 1 million metric tons—because it only has two primary smelters compared to China’s dozens.
While the White House framed the new tariffs as a way to counter China's dominance of the global market, the U.S. imports most of its refined copper from the Americas. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in 2023, Chile, Peru, and Canada made up more than 90% of U.S. copper imports.
While China leads in copper refining, it too depends largely on Latin America and Africa for raw materials. Chile and Peru accounted for roughly one-third of global copper mining in 2024.
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Rachael Temple - AlltematedSuggested Items
Considering the Future of Impending Copper Tariffs
07/30/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamThe Global Electronics Association is alerting industry members that a potential 50% tariff on copper could hit U.S. electronics manufacturers where it hurts.
OKI Launches Rigid-Flex PCBs with Embedded Copper Coins Featuring Improved Heat Dissipation for Space Equipment Applications
07/29/2025 | BUSINESS WIREOKI Circuit Technology, the OKI Group’s printed circuit board (PCB) business company, has developed rigid-flex PCBs with embedded copper coins that offer improved heat dissipation for use in rockets and satellite-mounted equipment operating in vacuum environments.
Designers Notebook: Basic PCB Planning Criteria—Establishing Design Constraints
07/22/2025 | Vern Solberg -- Column: Designer's NotebookPrinted circuit board development flows more smoothly when all critical issues are predefined and understood from the start. As a basic planning strategy, the designer must first consider the product performance criteria, then determine the specific industry standards or specifications that the product must meet. Planning also includes a review of all significant issues that may affect the product’s manufacture, performance, reliability, overall quality, and safety.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
07/18/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007It may be the middle of the summer, but the news doesn’t quit, and there’s plenty to talk about this week, whether you’re talking technical or on a global scale. When I have to choose six items instead of my regular five, you know it’s good. I start by highlighting my interview with Martyn Gaudion on his latest book, share some concerning tariff news, follow that up with some promising (and not-so-promising) investments, and feature a paper from last January’s inaugural Pan-European Design Conference.
Elephantech Launches World’s Smallest-Class Copper Nanofiller
07/17/2025 | ElephantechJapanese deep-tech startup Elephantech has launched its cutting-edge 15 nm class copper nanofiller – the smallest class available globally. This breakthrough makes Elephantech one of the first companies in the world to provide such advanced material for commercial use.