COMEX - LME price arb

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铜金属评论_精炼铜豁免 232 条款关税,维持伦敦金属交易所(LME)价格预测-Base Metals Comment_ Copper_ Refined Copper Exempt From Section 232 Tariff, Holding To LME Price Forecast
2025-08-05 03:20
Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call primarily discusses the **copper industry**, particularly focusing on the implications of recent tariff announcements by the Trump Administration regarding copper imports [2][2]. Core Insights and Arguments - On July 30, the Trump Administration announced a **50% tariff** on US imports of semi-finished copper products and copper-intensive derivative products, effective August 1 [2][2]. - **Refined copper and concentrate** are exempt from this tariff, which is crucial as the US relies on imports for **50%** of its domestic copper demand. In contrast, net imports of semi-finished products account for only **7%** of demand [2][2]. - A decision regarding a potential **15% refined copper import tariff** will be made by mid-2026, with the possibility of implementation in 2027 [2][2]. - The near-complete rollback of proposed copper tariffs indicates the Trump Administration's focus on ensuring a secure supply of copper, allowing the US to pursue minerals deals overseas [2][2]. - Following the tariff announcement, the **COMEX copper contract** dropped by **20%** to approximately **$4.46/lb** ($9,830/t), reducing the COMEX-LME arbitrage to about **$150** or a **~2% implied tariff**, down from over **30%** earlier in the week [2][2]. - The market is advised to consider at least a **25% probability** that the Trump Administration will impose the **15% tariff** in 2027, which would likely keep COMEX prices aligned with LME prices [2][2]. - The **50% tariff** on semi-finished products is expected to have minimal impact on exchange prices, and the US has mandated that **25%** of high-grade scrap and concentrate must remain in the US, maintaining the status quo [2][2]. Additional Important Information - The forecast for LME copper prices remains unchanged, with expectations of a low of **$9,550/t** in August, rising to **$9,700/t** by December [2][2]. - The analysis suggests that the recent tariff announcements do not alter the fundamental market dynamics for copper [2][2]. This summary encapsulates the critical points discussed in the conference call regarding the copper industry and the implications of recent tariff announcements.