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Base metals fall on United States import tariff hazard

Base metals fell on Tuesday as the danger of possible trade wars injuring present trade circulations resurfaced after President Donald Trump suggested the United States could impose a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico from Feb. 1.

Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange ( LME) lost 1.1% to $9,171.50 a metric load by 1045 GMT, while aluminium was down 1.3% at $2,656.

Copper and aluminium struck their highest given that Dec. 11 and Nov. 25, respectively, on Monday as Trump in his inauguration address neither right away imposed import tariffs nor targeted trade with top metals consumer China.

The relief, however, was short-lived as Trump later told reporters that he was thinking about the Canada and Mexico tariffs due to the fact that the 2 countries were allegedly enabling large. varieties of people and fentanyl into the U.S.

. He likewise stated that he wished to reverse the U.S. trade. deficit with the European Union.

With Trump back in the White Home, the drawback risks have. increased for industrial metals and possible U.S. tariffs and a. stronger dollar are most likely to weigh on demand, said Ewa. Manthey, a commodities expert at ING.

A stronger U.S. currency makes dollar-priced metals more. expensive for other currency holders.

Canada is a major provider of aluminium to the U.S., and. this metal is likely to be the most impacted by tariffs on. Canadian imports, if they are imposed, and would result in. greater aluminium costs in the U.S., Manthey included.

Further downside for growth-dependent metals may come this. year if the timing and the scope of the U.S. tariffs cause. relentless U.S. inflation and delay rate of interest cuts by the. U.S. Federal Reserve.

As of now, the Fed is expected to hold rates of interest steady. on Jan. 29 and resume cutting in March.

LME zinc slid 1.5% to $2,918, lead lost 1.7%. to $1,950, tin shed 0.1% to $30,340, while nickel. was constant at $16,085.

(source: Reuters)