President Donald Trump on Wednesday affirmed that the United States will levy a 50 percent tariff on copper imports starting Aug. 1, following through on an earlier statement that he would target a key metal used for semiconductors, lithium-ion batteries, renewable energy technology and more.

Copper shipments into the United States are expected to accelerate in the coming weeks in a final scramble to get metal across the border before U.S. President Donald Trump's higher than expected 50% tariff on imported copper takes effect.

President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on copper products sold in the United States effective Aug. 1. Trump said he made the decision after he received a national security assessment, according to a social media post.