Mexico Seeks Exemption from Trump's 50% Copper Tariff

Strategic Insights -

Mexican officials, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum and Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard, are seeking an exemption or reduction of the US tariffs on copper imports, which could affect Mexican exports worth around US$1 billion per year. Sheinbaum highlighted that Mexico exports more copper to China than the United States, but does export copper to the US, with a significant portion being scrap copper refined in the US. The US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick mentioned that the tariff on copper would likely take effect at the end of July or August 1.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mexico exports around US$1 billion worth of copper to the US per year, which would be affected by the proposed 50% tariff.
  • Mexico exports more copper to China than the US, with a value of US$3.72 billion in 2024, making up 60% of Mexico's total copper ore trade.
  • Sonora is Mexico's top copper-producing state, accounting for around 80% of total output, with copper being critical to electric vehicles, military hardware, the power grid, and many consumer goods.
  • President Claudia Sheinbaum stressed that the US needs copper from Mexico, despite the imposed tariffs, with a good part of exports being due to US industry and companies needing foreign copper.
  • A delegation of Mexican officials, led by Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard, will meet with US officials in Washington on Friday to work on the bilateral "global agreement" proposed by Sheinbaum to Trump last month.
  • Mexico imports copper from Chile and Peru for use in manufactured products, which could be affected by the US tariffs, making the industrial value chain more expensive.
  • US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick mentioned that the tariff on copper would likely take effect at the end of July or August 1.

Statistics:

  • Mexico export copper to the US is worth around US$1 billion per year, with a 5.7% share of the US market for copper imports.
  • Mexico exported US$976 million worth of copper to the US in 2024, ranking third after Chile and Canada.
  • Mexico's copper exports to the US were worth US$419 million in the first five months of the year, a 12% annual increase.
  • Mexico exported US$3.72 billion worth of copper ore to China in 2024, making up 60% of Mexico's total copper ore trade.
  • US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the tariff on copper would likely take effect at the end of July or August 1.

Sources:

  • [Twitter, Karl Mehta (@karlmehta) on July 9, 2025](https://twitter.com/karlmehta/status/1942943932679397439?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
  • [Mexico News Daily, Mexico Sheinbaum Trump steel and aluminum tariff](https://mexiconewsdaily.com/business/mexico-sheinbaum-trump-steel-and-aluminum-tariff/)
  • [Mexico News Daily, Trump auto tariffs Mexico now](https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/trump-auto-tariffs-mexico-now/)
  • [White House, Addressing the threat to national security from imports of copper](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/addressing-the-threat-to-nationalsecurity-from-imports-of-copper/)
  • [U.S. Department of Commerce data, 2024 copper imports from Mexico](https://www.census.gov/population/socdemo/foreign/worldtrend/data/copper.pdf)
  • [Economy Ministry data, 2024 copper ores and concentrates exports to China](https://www.economia.gob.mx/datamexico/en/profile/product/copper-ores-and-concentrates)
  • [Statista, Mexico volume of copper production](https://www.statista.com/statistics/795918/mexico-volume-of-copper-production/)
  • [El Financiero, Aranceles Trump cobre impactará exportaciones mexicanas de hasta 1,000 millones de dólares](https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/economia/2025/07/08/ebrard-hablara-con-eu-por-aranceles-de-50-al-cobre-ni-ellos-saben/)
  • [Reuters, Trump says he will impose 50% tariff on copper imports, Tuesday 2025-07-08](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/trump-says-he-will-impose-50-tariff-copper-imports-tuesday-2025-07-08/)