The exchange with the South American nation suggests the U.S. president also sees trade as a tool to influence other policies of foreign countries.

"America will, once again, build a DOMINANT Copper Industry," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social media platform.

President Donald Trump announced a 50-percent tariff Wednesday targeting Brazil as he blasted the trial of the country's ex-leader, and said a US "national security" levy on copper would begin in August.