President Trump said Tuesday he would issue a 50% tariff on copper brought into the U.S. and signaled he was queuing up high levies on pharmaceutical imports after a grace period that would let drugmakers move operations back here.
Mr. Trump outlined the expansion of his trade agenda while he dispatched highly anticipated letters assigning nation-by-nation tariff rates.
Those tariffs will kick in by August, but the copper tariff is part of a separate bucket of sector-specific tariffs.
The decision to tax copper imports at 50% follows Mr. Trump’s imposition of a 25% tariff on cars and car parts brought into the country and 50% levies on steel and aluminum.
Copper is a key component in electrical wiring and construction, among other uses. Prices of copper surged dramatically to record highs after Mr. Trump’s sudden announcement at a Cabinet meeting.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the administration wants to “bring