Trump Targets Copper With Tariffs, Though Not as Aggressively as Expected
Trump Targets Copper With Tariffs, Though Not as Aggressively as Expected

The president stopped short of putting a 50 percent tariff on refined copper, as he had threatened earlier this year. The market reaction was swift anyway and prices tumbled.
Read the full article on NY Times Politics
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article's claim about Trump targeting copper with tariffs is plausible given the historical context of his trade policies. However, the specific claim about a threatened 50% tariff and the market reaction lacks direct verification from the provided sources. The article exhibits moderate bias through its framing and word choice, typical of political reporting.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: Trump targets copper with tariffs.
- Verification Source #5: The Atlantic Council's Trump Tariff Tracker indicates that the Trump administration has used tariffs aggressively.
- Verification Source #4: NY Times reports Trump threatened tariffs on the EU, Mexico, and Canada.
- Assessment: Supported. Trump's history of using tariffs makes this claim plausible, although no source directly confirms copper tariffs.
- Claim: Trump threatened a 50 percent tariff on refined copper earlier this year.
- Assessment: Unverified. None of the provided sources mention a specific threat of a 50% tariff on refined copper.
- Claim: The market reaction was swift and prices tumbled.
- Assessment: Unverified. None of the provided sources confirm this specific market reaction to potential copper tariffs.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 5 indicates Trump's administration has embarked on an aggressive tariff policy.
- Source 4 confirms Trump threatened tariffs on other countries, supporting the general idea of him using tariffs as a political tool.