Trump Hits Brazil with 50% Tariff, Issues Notices to 7 Minor Trading Partners

US President Donald Trump launched his global tariff assault into overdrive on July 10, announcing a new 50 percent tariff on US copper imports and a 50 percent duty on goods from Brazil, both to start on Aug 1.

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WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS - US President Donald Trump launched his global tariff assault into overdrive on July 10, announcing a new 50 percent tariff on US copper imports and a 50 percent duty on goods from Brazil, both to start on Aug 1.

"I am announcing a 50% tariff on copper, effective August 1, 2025, after receiving a robust national security assessment," Mr Trump said in a post on his Truth Social media platform, a reference to a Section 232 national security trade investigation into the red metal that has been underway.

The announcement came hours after he also informed Brazil that its "reciprocal" tariff on Aug 1 would rise to 50 percent from 10 percent, a shockingly high level for a country with a balanced US trade relationship.

Mr Trump first broached the copper tariff during a Cabinet meeting on July 8, setting off a scramble by companies to import as much copper as soon as possible from Chile and other major suppliers.