Freeport CEO Says Tariffs Threaten to Hinder US Copper Mining

The threat of US levies on copper imports has been a boon for Freeport-McMoRan Inc., with North America's top producer cashing in on selling the metal at a premium. Still, the firm's top boss warns that broader tariffs could hurt an industry President Donald Trump is trying to help.

Freeport-McMoRan CEO Kathleen Quirk Photographer: Caitlin O'Hara for Bloomberg Businessweek

"If global growth is disrupted, that could lead to an impact on copper prices," Chief Executive Officer Kathleen Quirk said in an interview at Freeport's Phoenix headquarters. "Ironically, if we're trying to build up the US copper industry, slowing GDP growth and inflation could put a lot of pressure ...