[White House copper tariff plan stalled due to affordability concerns] September 10th, according to two people familiar with the matter, the White House has not yet made a decision on refined copper tariffs. Officials are weighing two factors: on the one hand, they are worried that rising copper prices may push up manufacturing costs, and on the other hand, they are considering the potential benefits that may come from encouraging more domestic mining. The hesitation comes as the U.S. government is increasingly focused on affordability ahead of the November midterm elections, with President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers under pressure to demonstrate that their economic policies are lowering — not raising — costs for American consumers and businesses.