Prices of copper in the US have surged since January, when President Donald Trump threatened to impose a tariff on imports of the metal that’s a vital component in power networks, plumbing and industrial machinery.

President Trump’s ever-swerving tariff regime has taken more sharp turns in recent days.On July 7, his administration pushed back some of its most punishing duties by three more weeks to August, following a 90-day delay.

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday night that the United States will impose a 50 percent tariff on copper, effective August 1. Trump wrote on Truth Social that he came to the decision after a "robust NATIONAL SECURITY ASSESSMENT."