Zambia, one of Africa’s largest copper-producing nations, may soon feel the heat of fresh U.S. trade policies after President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on all copper imports starting from August 2025. The decision, which is already causing waves in international trade circles, is expected to affect countries that heavily depend on copper exports — especially Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), both of which rely on mining for the bulk of their foreign earnings.
The new tariff comes at a time when Zambia is struggling to stabilise its economy and pay off external debt, and copper remains its key economic backbone. The country’s national football team is even called Chipolopolo — “The Copper Bullets” — in honour of the nation’s mining identity. Copper accounts for more than 70% of Zambia’s export earnings and supports thousands of jobs, directly and indirectly.
President Trump, who is campaigning for re-election, said the 50% tariff is part of his new protectionist policy aimed at boosting domestic production and reducing U.S. dependence on imported industrial metals. While this may benefit some American producers in the short term, industry experts warn that the move could spark a trade imbalance and hurt emerging economies that are reliant on mineral exports.
For Zambia, which exports copper mainly to China, Switzerland, and increasingly the United States, the tariff is expected to make Zambian copper less competitive in U.S. markets. The same concern applies to the DRC, which is currently the top copper producer in Africa. Both countries have ramped up production in recent years due to the global shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy, and tech infrastructure that requires significant copper wiring.
Mining firms operating in Zambia and the DRC — including First Quantum Minerals, Glencore, Barrick Gold, and China Nonferrous Mining Corporation — are now assessing how the tariff could affect their bottom lines. Some officials from First Quantum said while short-term export revenues may drop due to U.S. policy changes, the long-term outlook for copper remains strong. They argue that growing global demand — especially from sectors like electric vehicles, wind turbines, and data centres — will continue to drive copper prices in the right direction over time.
A spokesperson for Zambia’s Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Ms. Thandiwe Ngulube, told reporters that government is monitoring the situation closely and may soon enter discussions with U.S. officials or seek alternative markets to cushion the impact. “Zambia has other trading partners, and we will work to preserve the interests of our mining sector and national economy,” she said.
The move could also cause short-term price volatility in the global copper market. Analysts at Bloomberg and Reuters are already predicting unstable pricing trends in the coming weeks, as traders react to the U.S. policy. If prices fall too much, the effect could be devastating for already fragile economies like Zambia’s, which are recovering from inflation and currency depreciation.
Zambia’s economy had earlier shown signs of improvement in 2025, helped by rising copper prices and more stable exchange rates. However, the new U.S. tariff could dampen growth and potentially impact national revenue forecasts. Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane had recently projected a 4.7% GDP growth for the year, banking on mineral exports and increased mining activity.
Local mining unions are also worried about the possible fallout. Mr. Emmanuel Mutale, President of the Mineworkers Union of Zambia, said the new tariff might trigger a ripple effect that could lead to job cuts if companies reduce exports and earnings. “We are calling on the government to quickly step in and protect the interests of workers. The mining sector is our lifeline,” he said.
For DR Congo, the world’s largest supplier of cobalt and a major copper producer, the concerns are similar. The country, already grappling with political instability in its eastern regions, cannot afford further disruptions in its mining income. Copper and cobalt earnings account for over 90% of its export revenue.
Economists believe that the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) should consider entering dialogue with the U.S. administration to review or negotiate the tariff terms. They also stress the need for Africa to expand intra-continental trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), reducing over-dependence on distant markets like the U.S. and China.
At the global level, the move by Trump has raised fears of a potential trade war, especially if China and other major importers or exporters respond with retaliatory tariffs. Some European nations have already called for restraint and asked the U.S. to reconsider the tariff, citing its ripple effects on developing economies and global supply chains.
As Zambia and DR Congo watch the situation unfold, both countries may be forced to diversify their export portfolios and reduce dependence on raw copper sales. Many experts are now urging African nations to start adding value by refining and processing copper locally, which can increase earnings even in the face of tariffs.
