Copper is used in a wide variety of products from electronics, wiring, machinery and cars. The U.S. produces a majority of the copper it uses but still imports large quantities, primarily from

President Trump wants America to produce more of the much-needed mineral, but a 50 percent tariff could undermine his aim of a manufacturing renaissance.

Prices of copper in the US have surged since January, when President Donald Trump threatened to impose a tariff on imports of the metal that’s a vital component in power networks, plumbing and industrial machinery.