Chile, the world's No. 1 copper producer, is in wait-and-see mode after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a surprise 50% tariff on imports of the red metal, with the Andean nation blindsided while its top miner held out hope of exemptions.

The sector-specific tariffs are putting pressure on businesses and foreign nations as they try to navigate Trump's constantly evolving trade agenda.

President Trump said Tuesday that an ongoing investigation of tariffs on copper will end with 50% duties on the metal, and he threatened 200% tariffs on pharmaceuticals.

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 told reporters during a cabinet meeting Tuesday that more trade deals are on the way, especially in the form of letters setting rates unilaterally by the U.S. “The deals are mostly my deal to them,

Trump and his aides have repeatedly shifted their stance on tariffs in the weeks since the president’s “Liberation Day” announcement.

Donald Trump has revived his threat to hit major trading partners with steep “reciprocal” tariffs even as he granted a three-week reprieve for countries to negotiate trade deals with the US.