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Investing.com-- Major copper-producing stocks across Asia fell on Wednesday, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of an impending 50% tariff on imported copper.
President Trump said on Tuesday he will announce a 50% tariff on copper, hoping to boost U.S. production.
This sent U.S. copper futures surging as much as 13% on Tuesday, hitting a record of $5.90 per pound. Traders rushed to build inventories ahead of impending import duties. U.S. copper futures extended gains in Asia hours on Wednesday.
"Yet this will be bearish for LME prices, with the wave of copper rushing to the US likely to stop once the tariffs are implemented," analysts at ING said in a note.
In contrast, benchmark Copper Futures on the London Metal Exchange fell 1.8% $9,634 a ton, as of 05:23 GMT, and those on the Shanghai Futures Exchange lost roughly 0.5%, reflecting limited time to reroute shipments to the U.S.
Asian copper-linked equities broadly underperformed. India’s Hindalco Industries (NSE:HALC) shares fell over 1.5%%, while Hindustan Copper (NSE:HCPR) dropped nearly 3%.
In Australia, copper-heavy name BHP Group (ASX:BHP) fell 0.7%, while Sandfire Resources (ASX:SFR) shares declined more than 3% amid concerns over export disruption.
Australia’s mining subindex S&P/ASX 300 Metals & Mining declined 1.5%.
Chinese miners Jiangxi Copper (HK:0358) and Zijin Mining Group (HK:2899) lost 2.8% and 3.5% respectively.