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[Market Insight]: US–China Copper Scrap Trade Faces Structural Shift Amid Potential Export Restrictions
The global copper scrap market is entering a period of structural tightening as geopolitical tensions and industrial policy increasingly reshape trade flows. The relationship between the United States and China sits at the center of this transition, particularly as Washington considers restricting exports of high-quality copper scrap in 2027 while China remains heavily dependent on imported secondary copper feedstock. China’s copper scrap imports remained strong in 2024 at 441,080 MT, underscoring continued demand from secondary refiners serving the EV, renewable energy, power grid, and manufacturing sectors. However, imports have collapsed in 2025 to 143,271 MT, with current projections for 2026 falling further to just 5,305 MT. The sharp decline signals a rapid deterioration in China’s direct access to imported scrap feedstock amid rising geopolitical friction and tariffs. China’s existing 10% tariff on US-origin scrap has already reduced the competitiveness of direct shipments, although clean high-grade material has continued to move because of favorable processing economics. Trade flows indicate that copper scrap is increasingly being rerouted through Southeast Asia rather than moving directly from the United States into China. US copper scrap exports to ASEAN rose from 170,687 tonnes in 2024 to 222,993 tonnes in 2025, while Chinese imports of copper scrap from ASEAN increased from 434,176 tonnes to 529,345 tonnes over the same period. The correlation strongly suggests ASEAN is emerging as a critical intermediary hub for scrap aggregation, processing, blending, and re-export into China. This shift reflects a broader restructuring of the global scrap trade as market participants adapt to tariffs, geopolitical risk, and the growing probability of tighter controls on high-quality US scrap exports. Countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam are increasingly functioning as alternative routing channels within the global secondary copper supply chain. The timing is significant because the United States continues to export around 1 million tonnes of copper scrap globally in 2025 while domestic secondary refinery production remains limited at approximately 50kt. This imbalance is becoming central to the policy debate in Washington. As US demand for copper accelerates through grid modernization, electrification, AI-driven data center expansion, and defense manufacturing, policymakers are increasingly questioning whether high-grade recyclable copper should continue flowing overseas while the US remains dependent on imported refined copper. Current policy discussions focus on retaining a larger share of premium copper scrap within the domestic market beginning as early as 2027. Although proposals currently stop short of a full export ban, any retention mechanism would still materially reduce export availability for high-quality grades such as bare bright copper and No.1 copper scrap. For China, tighter access to premium scrap has important implications beyond the secondary market. High-quality scrap directly competes with refined copper cathode because it offers high recovery rates with lower processing intensity than primary smelting. If imported scrap availability continues to tighten, Chinese refiners will likely need to increase refined copper purchases to maintain output levels. This dynamic could become increasingly supportive for refined copper markets globally. The primary copper market is already facing structural constraints from weak mine supply growth, declining ore grades, permitting delays, and years of underinvestment in new projects. A simultaneous tightening in high-grade scrap availability would amplify pressure on refined copper balances precisely as demand linked to electrification continues to strengthen. As a result, the market could see narrower scrap discounts relative to cathode, firmer copper premiums in Asia, and increased volatility across both COMEX and LME pricing. The secondary copper market is therefore becoming an increasingly important variable in the broader refined copper outlook. Ultimately, the copper scrap market is no longer operating purely on economic arbitrage. Strategic resource security is becoming a defining driver of trade flows and policy decisions. The rapid growth in ASEAN intermediary trade, combined with collapsing direct Chinese scrap imports and growing US policy intervention, signals that the global copper supply chain is entering a new phase of fragmentation — one that is likely to tighten both scrap and refined copper markets into 2026 and beyond. Author: Shairaz Ahmed, Principal Market Analyst For more information or to discuss market dynamics, you can contact me on shairazahmed@smm.cn
May 26, 2026 17:23
[Market Insight]: US–China Copper Scrap Trade Faces Structural Shift Amid Potential Export Restrictions
Silver: Why the $100 mark is both within reach and dangerous
Silver: Why the $100 mark is both within reach and dangerous
May 28, 2026 Silber-Anleger erleben derzeit ein zähes Ringen: Kurzfristig fehlt dem Markt unterhalb der Marke von 75 US-Dollar jSilver investors are currently facing a tough struggle: In the short term, the market lacks the necessary momentum below the $75-per-ounce mark. Yet explosive momentum is building in the background. While Bank of America (BofA) believes another jump to the three-digit $100 mark is possible before the end of the year, the analyst team also warns against premature optimism. Such a price surge is unlikely to signal a lasting trend reversal. Rather, according to the analysts, the silver market is facing a profound fundamental shift in which the industrial base is increasingly crumbling. The balancing act between precious metal fantasy and industrial reality Bank of America’s latest precious metals analysis paints a picture of a divided market. In the short term, silver has the potential to break through the $100-per-ounce mark in the wake of a sustained gold rally. However, this speculative high is unlikely to last: Analysts are already forecasting a return of the price to a level of around $75 as early as the second quarter of 2027. Currently, the gold-silver ratio of 59.43 points reflects this indecision. It remains in the middle of its months-long consolidation range—an indicator of a market that is sensitively oscillating between short-term speculation and a fundamental revaluation. Although the silver market is heading toward its sixth consecutive year of deficit, the sustainability of this supply shortage is under massive threat in the medium term. Solar Industry in Austerity Mode: The Key Demand Pillar Wavers The strongest headwind for the silver price is emerging, of all places, in its former flagship segment—photovoltaics. Faced with historically high silver prices, solar module manufacturers are responding with drastic efficiency measures. Under sustained margin pressure, they are systematically reducing the silver content in the cells or switching to cheaper substitute metals. According to BofA analysts, silver demand from the solar sector already reached its historic peak last year. This trend is exacerbated by stagnating solar production in China and the prospect of declining new installations in the current year. Since demand growth in other industrial sectors is too weak to close the gap left by the solar industry, the silver market faces a fundamental easing of supply-demand dynamics: as early as 2026, the deficit could shrink by a massive 90%. Should industrial demand continue to weaken, even moderate sales by financial investors would be enough to push the market into a physical surplus. Investors as the Deciding Factor In this changed environment, silver is likely to be perceived and traded more as a classic precious metal rather than an industrial metal in the future. Investor demand thus becomes the decisive price factor. This carries risks, as precious metals have recently suffered from the restrictive interest rate policy and expectations of further rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve. Rising yields increase the opportunity costs for non-interest-bearing investments and weigh equally on both gold and silver. Nevertheless, silver remains a strategic element of the global energy transition. An abrupt slump in solar demand is not expected. Demand is further fueled by geopolitical conflicts such as the war in Iran, which continues to drive the global push for green energy and alternatives to fossil fuels. Geopolitics and Trade Barriers as Price Drivers Just how volatile the physical market can be was already evident at the start of the year, when the silver price briefly shot up to $120 per ounce amid fierce competition for physical metal. A major source of uncertainty remains the upcoming renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Since Mexico and Canada are the main suppliers to the U.S. market, significant trade risks loom. Concerns about potential tariffs have already prompted banks and market participants to massively increase their holdings within the U.S. This domestic hoarding is draining important liquidity from the global market. According to BofA, this physical withdrawal is the main reason silver has recently managed to climb back above the $80 mark—even though physically backed ETFs are continuously recording outflows and the latest CFTC data signal rather subdued interest in new net long positions in the futures markets. Conclusion: In the short term, silver retains the potential for a breakout toward the $100 mark. However, the foundation for this rise is becoming more fragile. Investors betting on silver should keep an eye on the weakening industrial data, which could set tight time limits on the rally. Source: https://goldinvest.de/en/silver-why-the-usd100-mark-is-both-within-reach-and-dangerous
23 hours ago
Solid-State Battery Monthly (May 2026): Semi-Solid EVs Launch, All-Solid Targets  $0.15/Wh
​​​​​​​Industrialization accelerated sharply in May: SAIC MG 4X launched with a semi-solid battery (53.9kWh, 510km range). Gotion Hi-Tech unveiled its “Jinshi” all-solid-state battery (400Wh/kg) aiming for 1 yuan/Wh cost by 2030. Qingtao Energy’s 5-billion-yuan, 20GWh project advanced. MIIT started solid-state battery standards.
May 30, 2026 21:06
[SMM Analysis] Tata Steel’s Two-Speed Transformation: Record India Earnings Confront Europe’s Green Steel Challenge
Tata Steel’s latest performance shows a company moving from a traditional volume-based steel business toward a more margin-focused and transformation-driven model. It is driving growth and profitability, financial performance is recovering through better margins and cost control, while the company’s key business activities are increasingly focused on downstream expansion, raw material security and low-carbon steelmaking.
May 29, 2026 16:20

Latest News

Copper Prices Rise Suppressing Consumption, Spot Premiums Run at Low Levels [SMM North China Spot Copper]
Today, #1 copper cathode spot prices in North China against the front-month contract were reported at a discount of 360 yuan/mt to a discount of 300 yuan/mt, with an average discount of 330 yuan/mt, down 10 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. The average transaction price was 105,535 yuan/mt, up 1,020 yuan/mt from the previous trading day.
2 hours ago
A Major Mine Released Spot Copper Concentrates Tender Information
[SMM Spot Copper Concentrates] It was reported that a major mine recently released tender information. Lots 1-4 and 6: 10,000 mt of clean ore each, with shipment in August-September. Lot 5: 10,000 mt of clean ore, with shipment in Q4. The tender closes at the end of this week.
18 hours ago
LME Inventory keeps Dropping as Metal Moves to US Warehouses
The COMEX-LME copper price spread has continued to widen over the past two weeks, reaching approximately $400/t by late May and touching a recent high of $500/t. With the cross-market arbitrage window remaining open, traders have accelerated the cancellation of LME registered warrants and the transfer of material to the United States. LME copper inventory drawdowns have picked up pace, falling 3,375 tonnes on May 29th to 386,050 tonnes — a fresh 10-week low. Cancelled warrants currently account for 30.87% of total LME copper inventory, with more than half concentrated in US LME warehouses, reflecting clear intent to move metal. Meanwhile, COMEX copper inventories have continued to build to approximately 575,000 tonnes. According to SMM, CIF Shanghai COMEX registered bill-of-lading warrants
20 hours ago
BC Copper Most-Traded Contract Closed Lower in Volatile Trading, Market Suppressed by Geopolitical and Supply-Demand Dual Pressures [SMM BC Copper Commentary]
21 hours ago
Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (Jun 01)
The following table shows the ferrous and nonferrous metals movement on the SHFE and DCE on 01 Jun , 2026
22 hours ago
[SMM Analysis] Chinese Blister Copper RCs to Remain Stable in June amid Tight Market
SMM Analysis: On May 29, SMM's monthly blister copper RCs in south China were quoted at 800-1,000 yuan/mt, with an average of 900 yuan/mt, down 50 yuan/mt MoM...
22 hours ago
China's Mainstream Regional Copper Social Inventory Flat WoW [SMM Weekly Data]
Jun 1, 2026 13:45
Demand Remained Weak Entering June, Spot Trading Was Sluggish [SMM North China Spot Copper]
Today, #1 copper cathode spot prices in North China against the front-month contract were reported at an average discount of 360 yuan/mt to a discount of 280 yuan/mt, with the average discount of 320 yuan/mt up 10 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. The average transaction price was 104,515 yuan/mt, down 15 yuan/mt from the previous trading day.
Jun 1, 2026 11:13
SHFE Copper Suppliers' Quotes Rose Then Fell in the Morning Session on June 1
[SMM Shanghai Spot Copper] In the early morning session on June 1, suppliers significantly raised their offers, with standard-quality copper quoted at discounts of 60-40 yuan/mt. Prices were then quickly lowered, with some offers falling to discounts of 100-70 yuan/mt.
Jun 1, 2026 09:30
Chile's Copper Output Drops 13.8% in April, Metal Production Also Falls
Chile is the world's largest copper-producing country. Data released on Friday by Chile's National Bureau of Statistics (INE) showed that the country's copper production in April declined 13.8% YoY.According to official data, Chile's copper production in April was 399,954 mt, compared with 464,056 mt in the same period last year. The production decline was mainly attributable to a high base in the same period last year and lower ore grades at major miners.In addition, metal products production fell 15.4% YoY, further dragging down the overall performance of the manufacturing sector.
May 30, 2026 22:16
Codelco's Q1 2026 Profit Triples to $825M Despite 8% Drop in Copper Production
Codelco, one of the world's largest copper producers, released its earnings report on Friday. Benefiting from stronger copper prices, the company's pre-tax profit reached $825 million in Q1 2026, nearly tripling compared to the same period last year when it stood at $213 million. Codelco stated that the company's total copper production from January to March was 272,000 mt, down 8% compared to the same period last year.Codelco reported its Q1 2026 results. Market conditions for copper and various by-products improved during the quarter, but the company's own production declined.From January to March, the company's own copper mine production reached 272,000 mt of concentrates, down 8.1% compared to the same period in 2025.
May 30, 2026 22:15
Commerzbank Forecasts Copper Prices to Reach $14,250 per MT by Mid-2027
Commerzbank expects copper prices to rise to $14,250 per mt by mid-2027.
May 30, 2026 22:15
Copper Scrap Market in May 2026: High Volatility and Structural Constraints Drive Supply-Demand Stalemate
Analysis of Copper Scrap Market Operations in May 2026: Supply-Demand Deadlock and Structural Contradictions amid High Volatility
May 30, 2026 10:03
Copper Scrap Payability Coefficients Hold Exceptionally Firm as Supply-Demand Mismatch Defies Traditional Market Logic
In May, copper prices surged before retracing, yet copper scrap payability coefficients remained exceptionally firm. Transactions for Millberry stabilized at a high level of 98.5%, while No. 2 copper became the market highlight, with its coefficient climbing from around 95% to 96%–97% due to the premium upside of its gold and silver by-products. Driven by stricter domestic policies and tax compliance, China demand remained robust. Conversely, tight overseas scrap supply persisted, and this structural mismatch kept import payability coefficients elevated and sticky for the short term. Under the current landscape of tight global supply and resilient demand, the traditional market logic of "surging copper prices driving down payability coefficients" has effectively become obsolete.
May 29, 2026 18:34
[Market Insight]: US–China Copper Scrap Trade Faces Structural Shift Amid Potential Export Restrictions
[Market Insight]: US–China Copper Scrap Trade Faces Structural Shift Amid Potential Export Restrictions
The global copper scrap market is entering a period of structural tightening as geopolitical tensions and industrial policy increasingly reshape trade flows. The relationship between the United States and China sits at the center of this transition, particularly as Washington considers restricting exports of high-quality copper scrap in 2027 while China remains heavily dependent on imported secondary copper feedstock. China’s copper scrap imports remained strong in 2024 at 441,080 MT, underscoring continued demand from secondary refiners serving the EV, renewable energy, power grid, and manufacturing sectors. However, imports have collapsed in 2025 to 143,271 MT, with current projections for 2026 falling further to just 5,305 MT. The sharp decline signals a rapid deterioration in China’s direct access to imported scrap feedstock amid rising geopolitical friction and tariffs. China’s existing 10% tariff on US-origin scrap has already reduced the competitiveness of direct shipments, although clean high-grade material has continued to move because of favorable processing economics. Trade flows indicate that copper scrap is increasingly being rerouted through Southeast Asia rather than moving directly from the United States into China. US copper scrap exports to ASEAN rose from 170,687 tonnes in 2024 to 222,993 tonnes in 2025, while Chinese imports of copper scrap from ASEAN increased from 434,176 tonnes to 529,345 tonnes over the same period. The correlation strongly suggests ASEAN is emerging as a critical intermediary hub for scrap aggregation, processing, blending, and re-export into China. This shift reflects a broader restructuring of the global scrap trade as market participants adapt to tariffs, geopolitical risk, and the growing probability of tighter controls on high-quality US scrap exports. Countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam are increasingly functioning as alternative routing channels within the global secondary copper supply chain. The timing is significant because the United States continues to export around 1 million tonnes of copper scrap globally in 2025 while domestic secondary refinery production remains limited at approximately 50kt. This imbalance is becoming central to the policy debate in Washington. As US demand for copper accelerates through grid modernization, electrification, AI-driven data center expansion, and defense manufacturing, policymakers are increasingly questioning whether high-grade recyclable copper should continue flowing overseas while the US remains dependent on imported refined copper. Current policy discussions focus on retaining a larger share of premium copper scrap within the domestic market beginning as early as 2027. Although proposals currently stop short of a full export ban, any retention mechanism would still materially reduce export availability for high-quality grades such as bare bright copper and No.1 copper scrap. For China, tighter access to premium scrap has important implications beyond the secondary market. High-quality scrap directly competes with refined copper cathode because it offers high recovery rates with lower processing intensity than primary smelting. If imported scrap availability continues to tighten, Chinese refiners will likely need to increase refined copper purchases to maintain output levels. This dynamic could become increasingly supportive for refined copper markets globally. The primary copper market is already facing structural constraints from weak mine supply growth, declining ore grades, permitting delays, and years of underinvestment in new projects. A simultaneous tightening in high-grade scrap availability would amplify pressure on refined copper balances precisely as demand linked to electrification continues to strengthen. As a result, the market could see narrower scrap discounts relative to cathode, firmer copper premiums in Asia, and increased volatility across both COMEX and LME pricing. The secondary copper market is therefore becoming an increasingly important variable in the broader refined copper outlook. Ultimately, the copper scrap market is no longer operating purely on economic arbitrage. Strategic resource security is becoming a defining driver of trade flows and policy decisions. The rapid growth in ASEAN intermediary trade, combined with collapsing direct Chinese scrap imports and growing US policy intervention, signals that the global copper supply chain is entering a new phase of fragmentation — one that is likely to tighten both scrap and refined copper markets into 2026 and beyond. Author: Shairaz Ahmed, Principal Market Analyst For more information or to discuss market dynamics, you can contact me on shairazahmed@smm.cn
May 26, 2026 17:23
Chinese firms dominate Guinea alumina expansion, potentially shifting the country from bauxite exporter into alumina hub
Chinese firms dominate Guinea alumina expansion, potentially shifting the country from bauxite exporter into alumina hub
May 27, 2026 13:10
[SMM Analysis] Q1 2026 Global ESS Shipments: Competitive Landscape Undergoes Fundamental Shifts
[SMM Analysis] Q1 2026 Global ESS Shipments: Competitive Landscape Undergoes Fundamental Shifts
May 27, 2026 10:44
EU Restricts High-Risk Inverters! New Hurdles for Chinese Firms in European Solar Market!?[SMM Analysis]
EU Restricts High-Risk Inverters! New Hurdles for Chinese Firms in European Solar Market!?[SMM Analysis]
May 24, 2026 17:52
Silver: Why the $100 mark is both within reach and dangerous
Silver: Why the $100 mark is both within reach and dangerous
23 hours ago
Solid-State Battery Monthly (May 2026): Semi-Solid EVs Launch, All-Solid Targets  $0.15/Wh
Solid-State Battery Monthly (May 2026): Semi-Solid EVs Launch, All-Solid Targets  $0.15/Wh
May 30, 2026 21:06
[SMM Analysis] Tata Steel’s Two-Speed Transformation: Record India Earnings Confront Europe’s Green Steel Challenge
[SMM Analysis] Tata Steel’s Two-Speed Transformation: Record India Earnings Confront Europe’s Green Steel Challenge
May 29, 2026 16:20
Latest News
Production Schedule Report for Three Major White Goods
2 hours ago
Shandong Spot Copper Market
2 hours ago
Copper Prices Rose but Suppliers Were Unwilling to Lower Prices, Market Trading Was Poor [SMM South China Spot Copper]
2 hours ago
Copper Prices Rise Suppressing Consumption, Spot Premiums Run at Low Levels [SMM North China Spot Copper]
2 hours ago
A Major Mine Released Spot Copper Concentrates Tender Information
18 hours ago
LME Inventory keeps Dropping as Metal Moves to US Warehouses
20 hours ago
BC Copper Most-Traded Contract Closed Lower in Volatile Trading, Market Suppressed by Geopolitical and Supply-Demand Dual Pressures [SMM BC Copper Commentary]
21 hours ago
Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (Jun 01)
22 hours ago
[SMM Analysis] Chinese Blister Copper RCs to Remain Stable in June amid Tight Market
22 hours ago
China's Mainstream Regional Copper Social Inventory Flat WoW [SMM Weekly Data]
Jun 1, 2026 13:45
Early-Month Demand Recovery Failed to Overcome High-Price Suppression, Shanghai Spot Copper Premiums Rose Then Fell [SMM Shanghai Spot Copper]
Jun 1, 2026 13:30
Significant Price Spread Differences Among Brands, Transactions Hard to Find in Early Market [SMM Yangshan Spot Copper]
Jun 1, 2026 12:43
Significant Inventory Increase and Weak Consumption Were the Main Causes, Spot Premiums Declined Notably [SMM South China Spot Copper]
Jun 1, 2026 11:39
Demand Remained Weak Entering June, Spot Trading Was Sluggish [SMM North China Spot Copper]
Jun 1, 2026 11:13
SHFE Copper Suppliers' Quotes Rose Then Fell in the Morning Session on June 1
Jun 1, 2026 09:30
Chile's Copper Output Drops 13.8% in April, Metal Production Also Falls
May 30, 2026 22:16
Codelco's Q1 2026 Profit Triples to $825M Despite 8% Drop in Copper Production
May 30, 2026 22:15
Commerzbank Forecasts Copper Prices to Reach $14,250 per MT by Mid-2027
May 30, 2026 22:15
Copper Scrap Market in May 2026: High Volatility and Structural Constraints Drive Supply-Demand Stalemate
May 30, 2026 10:03
Copper Scrap Payability Coefficients Hold Exceptionally Firm as Supply-Demand Mismatch Defies Traditional Market Logic
May 29, 2026 18:34