Global copper traders are offering cargoes to Chinese buyers as they look to offload metal no longer able to reach the U.S. before President Donald Trump's 50% copper tariff deadline. Trump said late on Wednesday he would impose the new tariff from August 1 to promote domestic production of everything from semiconductors to ammunition.

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump sent ripples across the commodities sector with the announcement that he will impose a 50% tariff on copper imports. According to a CNBC report, Trump implied that additional sector-specific levies would be just over the horizon.

The president was following through on an earlier statement that he would target a key metal used for semiconductors, lithium-ion batteries and more.