President Donald Trump says he will slap a 50% tariff on all copper imports and a 200% levy on foreign-made pharmaceuticals, escalating a trade war that already has manufacturers and US allies on edge.Speaking to reporters outside the White House today, Trump said the copper duty would come first. “I believe the tariff on copper we’re going to make it 50%,” said Trump, linking it to a national security review his administration launched in February under Section 232 of American trade law. Copper is a critical ingredient in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and millions of consumer electronics.Trump then turned to medicine. “If they have to bring the pharmaceuticals into the country … they’re going to be tariffed at a very, very high rate, like 200%,” said Trump. .Trump did not name specific countries or companies but warned drug makers that “we’ll give them a certain period of time to get their act together.”Trade analysts noted that the US imports about one third of its finished pharmaceuticals, while domestic copper mines meet only half of American demand. White House officials did not release a timeline for the new measures or describe how long companies would have to adjust. Trump hinted that other sectors could be next. “We’re going to be announcing pharmaceuticals, chips, and various couple of other things. You know, big ones,” said Trump, without providing details.Canada is the largest supplier of copper to the US and a major source of generic pharmaceutical drugs.For now, companies and trading partners must wait to see whether Trump’s latest threat is a negotiating tactic or the beginning of another trade war.
