Global copper traders are rerouting shipments to China after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 50% import tariff on copper, effective August 1st. The tariff aims to boost domestic production but has sparked a scramble among exporters, especially in Latin America, to divert cargoes before the deadline. China, the world’s largest copper consumer, is seeing a sharp uptick in offers.
Chilean mining giant Antofagasta says Trump’s copper tariff could revive its stalled U.S. project in Minnesota. CEO Ivan Arriagada views the protectionist move as a long-term opportunity, even as precise details of the policy remain unclear.
Analysts warn the tariffs may backfire, raising costs without significantly boosting U.S. copper output. Existing domestic capacity is limited, and key projects face environmental and legal hurdles.
Sweden’s Polestar posted a 38% jump in EV sales for Q2, driven by strong European demand. However, sales in the U.S. plunged 56%, hurt by tariffs and shrinking consumer incentives. CEO Michael Lohscheller says localizing production is now a strategic priority.
The European Parliament has condemned China’s rare earth export restrictions, calling them coercive. Ahead of a key EU-China summit, lawmakers urged action to reduce Europe’s reliance on Chinese supplies and fund domestic mining projects.
In the U.S., MP Materials is partnering with the Department of Defense to expand domestic rare earth magnet production. The $700 million “10X Facility” aims to secure a critical supply chain for defense and tech.
In France, Nexans and RTE are launching the country’s first industrial aluminum cable recycling program. The initiative will recycle 600 tons of aluminum per year, reducing CO₂ emissions and supporting Europe’s circular economy goals.
The UK government has scrapped plans to split the power market into regional zones. Instead, it will reform the national pricing system, avoiding major disruptions to Scottish wind power investments.
Abu Dhabi’s Masdar and Spain’s Iberdrola will invest €5.2 billion in a major offshore wind farm in the UK. The East Anglia THREE project, launching in 2026, will power over 1 million homes.
Russia bombarded Kyiv just hours before a major donor summit in Rome. Despite the attacks, allies pledged $12 billion to rebuild Ukraine. President Zelensky urged faster use of frozen Russian assets for reconstruction.
Trump’s claims that wind and solar make the grid unstable are contradicted by Texas, where renewables have helped reduce blackout risks and lower prices. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas reports improved stability this summer, despite Trump’s rollback of clean energy subsidies.
And finally, EU utilities increased output from coal and gas in early 2025 as renewable production dipped. Lower wind and hydro levels forced a temporary reliance on fossil fuels, reversing previous emission gains.