Metals Fall as Trump Stirs Trade Uncertainty With BRICS Threat
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That fee would be charged on top of any other tariffs and there would be no exceptions to the policy, the president said in a Sunday-night post on Truth Social. BRICS is a grouping of nations including Brazil, China, South Africa and India.
Copper fell 0.7% to $9,800.50 a ton by 2:23 p.m. Shanghai time, heading for a third straight decline on the London Metal Exchange since closing at a three-month high above $10,000 a ton last week. Aluminum fell 0.8% as all major LME metals declined.
The latest trade twist comes as Trump's push for new deals across the world reaches a critical stage.
The president will send tariff letters to as many as 15 trade partners on Monday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a CNN interview. He also added that the revised tariffs will kick in on Aug. 1 and indicated that some countries may be able to negotiate beyond the president's original deadline of July 9.
Industrial metals have fared reasonably well in recent months despite the economic uncertainty stemming from Trump's drive to remake US trade ties with the rest of the world. Copper has been boosted by a rush of shipments to America and falling global stockpiles, while a weaker greenback has also helped commodities priced in the currency.
On the Singapore Exchange, iron ore futures dropped 0.5% to $95.30 a ton.
--With assistance from Katharine Gemmell.
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