The president was following through on an earlier statement that he would target a key metal used for semiconductors, lithium-ion batteries and more.

Copper shipments into the United States are expected to accelerate in the coming weeks in a final scramble to get metal across the border before U.S. President Donald Trump's higher than expected 50% tariff on imported copper takes effect.

President Donald Trump announced that the United States will impose a 50% tariff on all copper imports starting August 1. The decision threatens to disrupt a global supply chain for one of the key inputs for the American industry and a crucial commodity for the green technology transition.