New Delhi [India], July 31 (ANI): President Donald Trump’s transfer to impose a steep 50% tariff on imports of semi-finished copper and copper-based merchandise from August 1 may find yourself hurting US business greater than its meant targets of decreasing import dependence, argued assume tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).
The US will impose a steep 50% tariff on imports of semi-finished copper and copper-based merchandise from August 1, 2025, citing nationwide safety considerations underneath Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.
The transfer was formalised via a Presidential Proclamation issued on July 29, 2025, and revealed on the official White House web site.
The resolution is aimed toward decreasing dependence on overseas copper, which Washington claims poses a danger to vital home sectors similar to defence, clear vitality, and infrastructure.
However, GTRI maintains that the coverage may find yourself hurting US business greater than its meant targets.
Copper is a foundational uncooked materials for electrical automobiles (EVs), energy grids, semiconductors, and defence electronics.
‘A sudden 50% hike in enter prices will ripple via these sectors, slowing manufacturing, elevating costs, and undermining the U.S. clear vitality transition,’ GTRI stated in a report Thursday.
India exported USD 360 million price of copper merchandise to the US in 2024-25, together with plates, tubes, and different semi-finished kinds.
‘These shipments will now be dearer. But because the tariff applies uniformly to all countries–including allies like Japan and the EU–it creates a stage enjoying area amongst international suppliers. India is unlikely to face any particular drawback in comparison with others,’ asserted the GTRI report.
Moreover, the impression on India’s copper commerce is proscribed, GTRI opined.
‘In making an attempt to guard its home smelting sector, the US dangers penalising its downstream industries. The new tariff might carry minimal strategic achieve however vital financial pain–especially at a time when copper is extra essential than ever to the U.S. industrial future,’ GTRI concluded. (ANI)