U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of a 50% tariff on copper imports is raising alarm in the U.S. auto sector, as it could make it even harder for carmakers and suppliers to absorb border taxes and rising costs,

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.

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