While the cost of copper is going up for American businesses and consumers, the rest of the world is scratching its head while it enjoys a considerable discount on the price of copper.

Futures contracts hit a record price after the president announced plans for a 50 percent tariff on the metal, driving up costs for businesses.

President Trump is amping up trade threats, again unveiling a new batch of letters to country leaders outlining tariffs on goods imported from their countries beginning in August and a warning to BRICS nations.

Manufacturers and construction companies — as well as consumers — would face higher prices if the U.S. jacks up tariffs on copper, analysts said.

President Trump's threatened 50% copper tariffs have boosted prices for the metal in the U.S. far ahead of anywhere else, lifting the premium to roughly one quarter. Copper futures mainly trad

Major stock indexes mostly inched lower and U.S. copper prices jumped to a record high on Tuesday as U.S. President Donald Trump announced he would impose a 50% tariff on imported copper, broadening his global trade war.