In a bold move shaking global supply chains, President Donald Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on two critical imports: 50% on all copper and a staggering 200% on pharmaceuticals brought into the U.S.
Speaking from the White House on Tuesday, Trump said the decision is part of his broader agenda to “protect American industries” and reduce reliance on foreign goods—especially in sectors deemed vital to national security.
“I believe the tariff on copper—we’re going to make it 50 per cent,” Trump said. “And pharmaceuticals, they’re going to be tariffed at a very, very high rate—like 200 per cent.”
🧪 Pharma Crackdown
Trump revealed that the pharmaceutical tariffs will come with a grace period, allowing companies time to adjust. However, he made it clear: this is just the beginning.
“We’re going to be announcing pharmaceuticals, chips, and a couple of other big ones,” Trump told reporters.
The pharmaceutical move comes amid ongoing frustration in the U.S. over drug pricing and dependency on foreign production—especially from countries like India and China.
⚙️ Why Copper?
Copper is essential in everything from electronics and clean energy to wiring and infrastructure. Trump’s administration began investigating foreign copper imports under Section 232 back in February.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. imported 810,000 tonnes of refined copper in 2024, primarily from Chile, Canada, Mexico, and Peru. China, though not a major supplier to the U.S., remains the world’s dominant copper refiner.
Canada’s Copper & Drug Exports at Risk
Canada—already the largest exporter of copper to the U.S.—could be hit especially hard. In 2023, Canada exported $9.4 billion worth of copper products, with over half going to the U.S.
Canada is also on edge regarding pharmaceutical exports. For years, several U.S. states, including Florida and Colorado, have pushed to import cheaper Canadian drugs. Though Florida received FDA approval in 2024 to do so, the program has yet to begin.
Trump’s April executive order aimed to accelerate the approval process, but Canadian officials remain wary. Health Canada has vowed to protect domestic drug supplies, noting it’s taking “all necessary actions to ensure Canadians have access to the prescription drugs they need.”
🧠 What This Means
These tariffs could:
Drive up prices for electronics, vehicles, and drugs in the U.S.
Strain trade relationships with allies like Canada and Chile
Lead to retaliatory tariffs and supply chain disruptions
If implemented, the measures would mark one of Trump’s most aggressive trade stances yet—reviving the hardline economic nationalism of his first term.