TOKYO — Copper prices are soaring on recent demand from the U.S., where President Donald Trump has hinted at slapping tariffs on the metal, causing global traders to send their supplies to the country and triggering ripple effects from the resulting inventory shortages.
London Metal Exchange (LME) three-month copper futures stood at $9,645 per metric ton Friday. The price, up 10% from the start of the year, is robust compared with the flat trends of other nonferrous metals like aluminum and nickel.