SANTIAGO/MEXICO CITY, July 9 (Reuters) - Top officials in Chile and Mexico said on Wednesday they could seek markets elsewhere to avoid tariffs from the Trump administration, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would soon announce a 50% tariff on the red metal.

The U.S. will impose 50% tariffs on copper, President Trump said during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, adding that an action on imports of the metal would be announced today. The U.S. will also soon impose tariffs of up to 200% on pharmaceuticals,

The U.S. copper industry is in crisis — and Washington is finally taking notice. With President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of 50% tariffs on copper imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act,