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A British couple running a small French cookware business have seen their sales collapse after new US tariffs made their copper pans virtually unsellable in America. 

Once dependent on exports to the US, they now find themselves casualties of a trade policy they say has unfairly targeted artisan producers.

In August, the US introduced a sweeping 50% tariff on all copper imports, part of President Donald Trump鈥檚 efforts to 鈥渓evel the playing field鈥� for domestic industry. 

The measure unexpectedly included copper cookware 鈥� an iconic French export prized for its craftsmanship, durability and superior heat conduction.

For William and Fidelma Cox, who left the UK to establish their Normandy Kitchen Copper business on the Normandy鈥揗ayenne border in 2012, the effect has been devastating. 

More than half of their sales previously went to US customers, but since the tariffs came in orders have 鈥渄ropped to nothing鈥�.

鈥淲e were completely blindsided,鈥� Mrs Cox told The Connexion. 

鈥淥ur customers are now expected to pay 50% on top of their purchase just to receive their pans. It鈥檚 impossible for most of them.鈥� 

She described the decision as 鈥渁 complete surprise鈥�, saying the couple felt 鈥渃aught in the crossfire鈥� of a dispute that has nothing to do with small-scale craftspeople.

French copper cookware, made by firms such as Mauviel, De Buyer and L鈥橝telier du Cuivre, is regarded as the best in the world. Its reputation was cemented in the 1960s by American chef Julia Child, who championed French cuisine and its gleaming copper pans. 

Today, many buyers choose copper for its nostalgic charm, sustainability and long lifespan, as tin-lined pans can be retinned and polished for decades of use.

Despite strong sales in Europe, Canada, Australia and the UK, the couple have suspended all trade with the US. They are calling for copper cookware to be exempt from the 50% tariff, pointing out that luxury goods such as those made by Louis Vuitton face duties of only 15%.

鈥淭his is totally unfair by any standards of trade,鈥� Mrs Cox said. 

鈥淲e鈥檝e worked hard to preserve a French tradition - and now we鈥檙e paying the price for it.鈥�