Over two consecutive evenings, President Donald Trump released three separate tariff notices that, taken together, would raise U.S. import duties on refined copper, most Canadian goods and the entire spectrum of Brazilian exports beginning 1 August 2025. The information was announced via Truth Social posts and has not been formally published on the White House website.
50% DUTY ON COPPER UNDER SECTION 232
In a Truth Social post on 9 July, the President said a “robust national security assessment” justified a 50 percent tariff on copper and copper-alloy products. The message listed semiconductors, aircraft, batteries, radar and missile-defense systems among the strategic applications that require copper.
50% TARIFF FOR BRAZIL
A second communication, also dated 9 July, threatens a 50 percent tariff on all Brazilian goods, tying the measure to Brazilian court proceedings against former president Jair Bolsonaro and what the White House calls content “censorship” of U.S. social-media platforms. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva “Lula” rejected the linkage, emphasizing Brazil’s sovereign institutions and freedom-of-expression standards while pointing out that the United States has run a cumulative services-and-goods trade surplus with Brazil of about $410 billion over the past 15 years. Lula announced Brazil would first seek a diplomatic solution but would apply reciprocal duties if no agreement is reached by 1 August.
35% TARIFF LETTER TO CANADA
The next day, on July 10th, the U.S. sent a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that a 35 percent general tariff will take effect on August 1, 2025. The notice warns that any Canadian retaliation will be met by a corresponding U.S. rate increase and advises that goods merely trans-shipped through Canada “to evade this higher Tariff will be subject to that higher Tariff.” Carve-outs for energy, fertilizer and USMCA-origin goods remain under discussion, while the letter holds out the possibility of a lower rate if Canada “works with me to stop the flow of fentanyl.” Canadian officials dispute the fentanyl premise.
All three tariff actions are slated to take effect on 1 August 2025, but each notice leaves room for adjustment as bilateral talks proceed. Trading partners and U.S. lawmakers now have just three weeks to negotiate carve-outs, craft legislative responses or plan retaliatory measures before the new duties are imposed.
