Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold IncWhite House reconsidering tariffs on processed copper removes a bullish US price catalyst, pressuring Freeport-McMoRan; its own double-digit output decline is also noted.

COMEX December-delivery copper futures fell 34.10 cents, or 4.95%, to close at $6.5475 per pound, after reports that the White House is considering reviewing a plan to levy tariffs on processed copper goods that it had previously signaled. The rethink stems from concerns that high inflation would raise costs for manufacturers ahead of the midterm elections. The market had earlier expected the United States to extend tariff measures to cover processed copper in addition to semi-finished copper products, which drove global copper prices higher and triggered a rush of copper shipments into North America. However, a tight global copper supply picture, caused by a shortage of sulfuric acid and declining mine output, remains a supportive factor for prices. China has suspended exports of sulfuric acid, a key raw material for major copper smelters, amid supply pressure from members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, or GCC. As a result, the spread between near-term and long-term copper contracts has widened in major Western copper markets. Meanwhile, Codelco and Freeport-McMoRan reported double-digit declines in output, and the International Copper Study Group said global copper production fell 1.1% in the first half of this year.
Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold IncWhite House reconsidering tariffs on processed copper removes a bullish US price catalyst, pressuring Freeport-McMoRan; its own double-digit output decline is also noted.
Codelco reported double-digit output declines, a supportive supply factor for copper, but the tariff rethink is the dominant price driver.