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.

"America will, once again, build a DOMINANT Copper Industry," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social media platform.

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."