Copper shipments into the United States are expected to accelerate in the coming weeks in a final scramble to get metal across the border before U.S. President Donald Trump's higher than expected 50% tariff on imported copper takes effect.

The exchange with the South American nation suggests the U.S. president also sees trade as a tool to influence other policies of foreign countries.

🤦🏼♀️ Good god, Trump is actively trying to destroy whole industries on his way out the door. Forget the defense industry, this decimates the construction industry. Between his tariffs on lumber, steel, and COVID his first term — how many times can he screw over builders his second… https://t.co/9HFPYELoVj

President Donald Trump's threats to impose high tariffs on countries make U.S. trading partners and investors nervous. But his sector tariffs could hurt consumers and businesses more in the long run.

President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that the U.S. would apply a 35% tariff to all imports from Canada beginning next month, reviving tensions with a major trade partner that had largely dissipated in recent weeks.