US announces 50% tariff on copper; to have limited impact on India

The US has announced a steep 50% tariff on imports of semi-finished copper and copper-based products from August 1, a move which will have a limited impact on India's exports from this sector to America.

A White House executive order, dated July 30, said that copper is being imported into the United States in quantities and under circumstances that threaten to impair the national security of the US.

"...all imports of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products...shall be subject to a 50% tariff. This tariff shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on August 1, 2025, and shall continue in effect, unless such action is expressly reduced, modified, or terminated," it said.

India exported copper products worth USD 360 million to the US in FY2025, including plates, tubes, and other semi-finished forms. These shipments will now be more expensive.

Commenting on the development, think tank GTRI said since the tariff applies uniformly to all countries, including allies like Japan and the EU, it creates a level-playing field among global suppliers.

"India is unlikely to face any specific disadvantage compared to others.

"Moreover, the impact on India's copper trade is limited," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said.

India is a net importer of copper, with imports totalling USD 14.45 billion in 2024-25, far outweighing its exports.

Its main suppliers include Chile, Indonesia and Australia.

Notably, India also imported USD 288 million of copper scrap from the US, which may now become less viable due to disrupted bilateral copper flows.

"The contrast between the two countries is striking. While the US has resorted to protectionist tariffs (50%), India charges 2.5% import tariff on copper ore and concentrates, 5% on refined copper and copper alloys, and 10% on certain copper articles," he said.

The USA's decision is aimed at reducing dependence on foreign copper, which Washington claims poses a risk to critical domestic sectors such as defence, clean energy, and infrastructure.

Copper is a foundational raw material for electric vehicles (EVs), power grids, semiconductors, and defence electronics.

"A sudden 50% hike in input costs will ripple through these sectors, slowing production, raising prices, and undermining the US clean energy transition," he said.