232对铜影响分析（二）：以铝为鉴

1. Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report - The US has initiated 232 investigations on aluminum and copper, and imposed tariffs on these two metals, which have had significant impacts on their prices, trade volumes, and industrial chains [3][26]. - For aluminum, tariffs have led to an increase in the premium of US local aluminum prices over LME aluminum prices, and a change in the import pattern, with a decrease in the import of aluminum products and a potential return of the aluminum processing industry [3][18][21]. - For copper, the implementation of 232 tariffs is expected to cause the Comex - LME copper price spread to widen, and there may be a situation of supply mismatch between the US and non - US regions. The return of the copper smelting industry faces many difficulties, while the copper products manufacturing industry may experience a return [27][34][40]. 3. Summary According to the Directory 3.1 US 232 Tariff Impact on Aluminum Analysis 3.1.1 US 232 Aluminum Tariff and Premium Review - In 2017, the US launched 232 investigations on imported steel and aluminum products. In 2018, it imposed a 25% tariff on imported steel and a 10% tariff on imported aluminum products, which increased the premium of US local aluminum prices over LME aluminum prices from 10% to 20% [3]. - In 2020, the scope of aluminum import tariffs was expanded. In 2025, the aluminum tariff was raised from 10% to 25%, and then to 50%, causing the premium of US aluminum prices over LME aluminum prices to rise from 20% to 60% [6][8]. 3.1.2 US Aluminum Production and Imports and Exports - In 2024, US electrolytic aluminum production was 690,000 tons, a decrease of 100,000 tons from 2023. The main sources of imported aluminum ingots were Canada, South Africa, Argentina, and the UAE, with imports from Canada accounting for 78.8% [11]. - After the exemption for all importing countries was cancelled in March 2025, there was a short - term rush to import, but the annual import volume of aluminum ingots may remain stable [11][12]. 3.1.3 Increase in US Primary Aluminum Imports and Decrease in Aluminum Product Imports - After the Trump tariff policies in 2018 and 2020, the import volume of aluminum and aluminum products showed a short - term decline and then recovered. From 2023 to 2024, the total import volume of aluminum ingots remained stable, but the total import volume of all aluminum products decreased significantly, while exports remained relatively stable [18]. - After 2017, the import volume of aluminum products decreased significantly, while the import volume of un - wrought aluminum and alloys increased. The import volume of aluminum containers decreased, and the export volume increased, indicating a potential return of the US aluminum processing and manufacturing industries [21]. 3.2 US 232 Tariff Impact on Copper Analysis 3.2.1 US 232 Copper Tariff Review - In February 2025, Trump signed an executive order to initiate a 232 investigation on copper. On July 9, it was announced that a 50% tariff on copper would be imposed starting from August 1, 2025, due to the US's increasing dependence on foreign copper and insufficient smelting and refining capabilities [26][27]. 3.2.2 Widening of Comex - LME Spread - Before the copper tariff rate was determined, the Comex - LME spread gradually expanded from 0 to 10%. After the 25% aluminum tariff took effect in March 2025, the market's expectation of the copper tariff increased, and the spread reached a premium level of 16.8% [27]. - After July 8, 2025, when the 50% copper tariff was announced, the Comex copper price rose rapidly, and the Comex - LME spread exceeded $3000/ton. However, the premium of Comex over LME has been lower than the tariff level, and if there is no exemption, the spread is expected to rebound to over 40% [29][30]. 3.2.3 Transfer of Refined Copper and Supply Mismatch - The rush to import copper started in April 2025. In April and May, the US imported 200,000 tons and 210,000 tons of refined copper respectively, far exceeding the historical average. This led to a shortage of refined copper supply in non - US regions and a decline in LME inventory [34]. - Due to the supply shortage in non - US regions from April to June, the market was in a back structure, and the inventory of the entire industrial chain was cleared. Even if supply increases after the implementation of the 232 tariff, the inventory increase may be lower than expected [35]. 3.2.4 Setback in Copper Smelting Return and Potential Breakthrough in Processing - The return of the US aluminum smelting industry has faced difficulties due to high electricity costs and old equipment. In contrast, the aluminum processing industry has shown signs of return [38]. - The return of the copper smelting industry also faces problems such as high restart costs of old equipment, high environmental protection costs, complex approvals, and low copper processing fees. The copper products manufacturing industry may experience a return, and Canada may be the most affected country [39][40]. 3.3 Summary - If there is no exemption for the 232 copper tariff, the Comex - LME spread will rebound to over 40%. If major importing countries are exempted, Comex copper may plummet, and the spread may fall to 0 - 10%. If non - major importing countries are exempted, the spread may remain at 30 - 40% [42]. - Limiting the export of copper concentrates and scrap copper while exempting refined copper from major importing countries may lead to a decline in the Comex - LME spread and a new round of copper price increases due to a shortage of global raw material supply [42]. - The copper smelting return has a long cycle and many difficulties, while the copper products manufacturing industry has a shorter construction cycle and is more likely to return, with an expected production cycle of about 2 years [44].