坏消息只“坏了一半” 铜价过山车调头向下

Core Viewpoint - The recent announcement of a 50% tariff on imported semi-finished copper products by the U.S. government has led to a significant drop in copper prices, with COMEX copper futures plummeting by 21% to a low of $4.33 per pound, triggering a mass exit of bullish investors from the market [1][2][3]. Tariff Impact - The U.S. will impose a 50% tariff on semi-finished copper products starting August 1, while refined copper and scrap copper are exempt from this tariff, leading to a sharp decline in copper prices as market expectations shifted [2][3]. - The new tariff structure contrasts sharply with previous expectations of a blanket tariff on all copper products, resulting in a rapid liquidation of accumulated copper inventories in the U.S. [3][4]. Market Dynamics - Following the tariff announcement, the COMEX copper inventory surged to 250,000 tons, up from less than 100,000 tons in February, indicating a significant shift in supply dynamics [7]. - The London Metal Exchange (LME) copper inventory has decreased by over 64% since mid-February, highlighting contrasting trends in global copper supply [7]. Price Fluctuations - The price of COMEX copper futures saw a year-to-date increase of over 40% before the tariff announcement, which has since narrowed to 8.87% as of July 31 [8]. - The volatility in copper prices is expected to continue, with potential downward pressure due to excess inventory and changing market conditions [12]. Supply Chain Disruption - The U.S. tariff policy is anticipated to disrupt global copper supply chains, with potential shifts in sourcing strategies for industries reliant on copper, such as automotive and renewable energy sectors [9]. - Major copper-exporting countries like Chile may redirect their supplies towards Asian and European markets, further affecting global copper supply and demand balance [9]. Future Outlook - Analysts predict that the U.S. copper import volume could reach 1.36 million tons this year, significantly higher than last year's 900,000 tons, which may lead to an oversupply situation in the market [8]. - The long-term implications of the tariff on U.S. domestic copper demand and pricing strategies remain uncertain, as companies may seek to adjust their supply chains in response to the new tariff structure [10].