Geralt of Rivia Investigates Trump's Golden Copper Caper: A Witcher's Take on Tariffs!

A Witcher's Grumble: Another Fine Mess

Medallion's humming... something's afoot. Seems your President this Trump fellow has gone and slapped a 50% tariff on copper imports. Fifty percent! As if I don't have enough monsters to worry about now I have to understand economics? Toss a coin to your economist more like. Apparently more duties are incoming too! What is it with humans and hoarding? Dragons at least have the excuse of well being dragons. Eh humans... always the same.

Copper Chaos: Prices Go Wild

Now this bit's interesting. Copper prices have jumped higher than a noonwraith in daylight. Freeport McMoRan's share price is up too. One can only imagine how the dwarves are reacting I will ask Zoltan later. The poor bastards who rely on affordable copper? Well let's just say they're probably cursing Trump's name louder than a barghest at midnight. Something tells me it's going to be a long day of monster hunting and explaining economics to Roach. 'Wind's howling,' indeed.

Why Copper You Ask? A National Security Mystery

Turns out this isn't just some random tax. Apparently it's about 'national security.' Bringing copper production 'home,' they say. Whatever helps them sleep at night I suppose. Last I checked monsters aren't particularly picky about where their copper comes from. Tell you what you hear of monsters who steal copper for national security just let me know.

Pharma Follies: 200% and Rising!

And hold your horses there's more! This Trump also mentioned tariffs on pharmaceutical imports that could reach a whopping 200%. Two hundred percent! Imagine the price of Swallow potion... Actually on second thought maybe the price would go down. And then maybe all those potions would actually work? I am just thinking aloud here. Anyway apparently they're giving companies a year and a half to start making that stuff here. Good luck with that I say. Convincing mages to move stateside? I'd sooner fight a Leshen with a spoon.

Reciprocal Rumble: It's All Getting Rather Confusing

On top of everything else there's the "reciprocal" tariffs that have been in the works since April. Ten percent on nearly everyone with higher rates for some. And these keep getting delayed. Talk about a bureaucratic monster! This Trump sends out new tariff rates on imports from 14 countries including Japan South Korea and Thailand. Those individualized blanket tariff rates which ranged from 25% to 40% are set to take effect Aug. 1. By the gods is it getting too confusing? I need a drink.

The Witcher's Verdict: Chaos and Coin

So what's a Witcher to make of all this? Well it's a right mess. Prices are jumping markets are twitching and everyone's blaming everyone else. Standard Tuesday really. All I know is this chaos means opportunity. Time to stock up on copper wire for my bombs... before the price gets too high. And maybe invest in a good alchemist... just in case those pharma tariffs actually do some good. And now if you would excuse me I have some monsters to slay and a economy to not understand. Hmmm...