Please be open to feedback and constructive criticism from others, and consider their suggestions and advice when making decisions or forming opinions.
- Manlobbi
Halls of Shrewd'm / US Policy❤
No. of Recommendations: 5
With Korea, China and Japan getting hit with higher tariffs, I expect all sorts of electronics from cell phones to PC's to go up. Now something which won't help prices - either for home construction, electric grid enhancement (required to support everything from AI to EV's there's this:
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/08/business/trump-...President Donald Trump said Tuesday he’s imposing a new 50% tariff on all copper. However, it’s unclear when the new tariff would take effect.
“Today we’re doing copper,” he said at a Cabinet meeting, adding that he believed the rate will be 50%.
This would mark the fourth across-the-board tariff Trump has imposed during his second term. Currently, imported cars and car parts face a 25% tariff while imported steel and aluminum face 50% tariffs.
Copper prices surged to all-time highs after Trump said he plans to levy tariffs on the red metal. The most actively traded copper futures contract in New York jumped as much as 15% and hit a record $5.66 per pound.
Copper prices have soared 38% this year as Trump’s tariffs are set to hike the cost of importing the metal, a reflection of the stockpiling occurring to get ahead of tariffs.
If gold is not subject to US tariffs, this may throw the functionality of the gold:copper ratio out of whack.
Jeff
Jeff
No. of Recommendations: 0
imposing a new 50% tariff on all copper. However, it’s unclear when the new tariff would take effect.
All construction costs just got a big increase. Housing, office, manufacturing--UP. Making them all less investment worthy.
No. of Recommendations: 1
And abandoned houses and new construction will become even greater targets for looters than they are now.
No. of Recommendations: 1
abandoned houses and new construction will become even greater targets for looters than they are now.
Not in MN.
"In Minnesota, a new law requires most individuals and businesses to obtain a license to sell scrap metal copper, effective January 1, 2025. This law aims to curb copper theft by making it more difficult to sell stolen copper. The license, costing $250, is issued by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Certain groups, like licensed electricians and those in the construction trades, are exempt if they already hold a relevant state license. Additionally, residents can bring in up to $25 worth of scrap copper wire for sale without a license on the first Friday of April and October.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Licensing Requirement:
Most individuals and businesses selling scrap metal copper must now have a state-issued license.
Purpose:
The law is designed to address copper theft, which has been a significant problem, particularly with thefts from streetlights and other infrastructure.
Cost:
The license costs $250, according to FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Exemptions:
Those already holding a license as an electrician or in other relevant trades (as defined in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 326B or Section 1031.501) are exempt.
Limited Exceptions:
Residents can sell up to $25 worth of scrap copper wire without a license on the first Friday of April and October.
Enforcement:
The Department of Commerce is responsible for issuing licenses and enforcing the law.
Copper Seller License / Minnesota Department of Commerce
Beginning January 1, 2025, you must have a license in order to sell scrap metal copper, unless you qualify for one of the exceptio...
Minnesota.gov
Statewide Copper Wire Theft Law Takes Effect January 1, 2025
Jan 1, 2025 — The new legislation requires anyone recycling scrap metal copper for a profit to obtain a state-issued license, with li...
StPaul.gov
New Copper Laws in Minnesota - Lake State Recycling
Jan 1, 2025 — New Copper Law January 1st 2025. As of January 1st, 2025, Lake State Recycling will be required by law to no longer ac...
Lake State Recycling
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No. of Recommendations: 3
All construction costs just got a big increase. Housing, office, manufacturing--UP. Making them all less investment worthy.
It makes new construction less investment worth. Existing construction more so.
No. of Recommendations: 0
Do surrounding states have similar laws?
A pickup with a Uhaul could cary a couple of tons to a less conscientious state in a few hours.
No. of Recommendations: 6
A pickup with a Uhaul could cary a couple of tons to a less conscientious state in a few hours.
Copper thieves tend to not have access to a LOT of copper--let alone tons. If that much is stolen, then it is easily traced within a multi-state area. That amount of copper being sold at once (by a walk-in seller hauling it in a truck or trailer) would be VERY noticeable to even a copper reseller.
I know because I worked at a business that used an almost pure (99+%) REE (rare earth element). Someone stole a partial bucket of the REE scrap used to produce the pumps they made. He tried to sell the scrap to a scrap metal yard. The yard called the cops because the business was the ONLY ONE in a multi-state area that used that REE. So, they knew it was stolen. The business returns the unusable REE to the producer for credit so it can be re-smelted and used again. That is NOT going to happen unless it is done in a furnace at least 6000+ degrees F. Where would YOU find such a furnace? You realistically would NOT.
No. of Recommendations: 4
Not in MN.
"In Minnesota, a new law requires most individuals and businesses to obtain a license to sell scrap metal copper
People who think this will work don’t know the scrap metal business. For every legit dealer there will be three who will take it under the table and mash it with other scrap and profit handsomely. Scrap is scrap, and by definition, untraceable. Unless they put a lot of sting operations into effect, this will amount to nothing.
No. of Recommendations: 0
there is absolutely no strategy behind any of theses moves, beyond trump and cronies to trade on advance info.
dont give me retrospective rightwing justifcation, or generic 'buy stocks' blather.
what people want is to be in on the grift, and its hard for MAGA to grasp >99.99% of them will never qualify.
