In a shocking turn of events, the United States has announced a staggering 50% tariff on copper imports, sending shockwaves through Chile, the world’s top producer of the red metal. President Donald Trump’s decision, effective August 1st, threatens to cripple Chile’s most vital industry, prompting urgent calls for national unity from President Gabriel Borich.

At the presidential palace, officials scrambled to address the impending crisis, with Borich urging Chileans to stand together as the nation braces for an economic storm. The timing couldn’t be worse, as the country finds itself in the midst of an election campaign, where opposition candidates are poised to exploit the situation for political gain. “We need Washington to make exemptions,” Borich said, highlighting the strained relations between the two nations, exacerbated by Chile’s recent foreign policy moves.

While the U.S. aims to bolster its domestic copper industry, experts warn that the tariffs could backfire spectacularly. Chile exports less than 11% of its goods to the U.S., yet a staggering 60% of U.S. copper imports come from Chile. This means that American industries—from electronics to defense—could face skyrocketing costs that ultimately burden consumers and stifle economic growth.

As the dust settles from this announcement, the ramifications of Trump’s trade war are clear: a potential downturn not just for Chile, but for the global economy as well. Lucia Newman from Al Jazeera reports live from Santiago as the nation grapples with the fallout. The clock is ticking, and the world watches as Chile’s copper industry faces an unprecedented challenge.