The US has imposed a 50% tariff on imports of steel, aluminum, and copper, pushing the construction and automotive industries toward a breaking point due to soaring costs and weakened demand. 

Construction impacts may surface mid-year, while automakers are feeling immediate pressure. Prices for key materials such as copper wire, steel, and iron have risen by double digits. Major automakers, GM, Ford, Stellantis, and Toyota, expect multi-billion-dollar losses and are seeking alternative materials. 

Domestic suppliers have raised prices under tariff protection, driving costs higher. To stabilize prices, steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs introduced a three-year fixed-price contract, a first in the industry. 

Rising vehicle prices may shift consumers to the used-car market or delay purchases amid policy uncertainty. The US Department of Commerce is also considering expanding Section 232 tariffs to cover more metal products, adding further uncertainty to the industrial outlook.