Copper prices rise as markets await trade talks between Washington and Beijing
Copper prices edged higher on the London Metal Exchange during Friday trading, supported by a weaker dollar and declining inventories in China, as investors monitored an upcoming meeting between U.S. and Chinese trade representatives in Switzerland scheduled for Saturday.
The most actively traded copper futures on the London Metal Exchange rose by 0.18% to $9,448.5 per ton as of 1:45 p.m. Mecca time.
The U.S. Dollar Index—which measures the greenback’s performance against six major currencies—fell by 0.25% to 100.4 points.
At a press conference yesterday announcing a trade agreement with the United Kingdom, U.S. President Donald Trump said he expects substantial negotiations with China over the weekend, anticipating a reduction in the 145% tariffs currently imposed on Beijing.
Copper inventories at Shanghai Futures Exchange-approved warehouses have dropped by 10% since the end of April, reaching 80,705 tons—a 70% decline since the end of February, according to Reuters.
Among other metals, aluminum futures rose by 0.6% to $2,427 per ton, zinc gained 0.45% to $2,647 per ton, and nickel climbed 0.9% to $15,715 per ton
2025-05-09