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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

China's Secondary Aluminum Alloy Ingot Inventory Drops 608 MT WoW to 31,000 MT
[SMM Aluminum News Flash] China's secondary aluminum alloy ingot inventory in mainstream consumption areas was reported at 31,000 mt today, down 608 mt WoW.
Jun 1, 2026 09:31
Ferrous Metals May Rebound Slightly Next Week [SMM Steel Industry Chain Weekly Report]
This week, ferrous metals mostly retreated after rapid rises, with only coking coal and coke standing out, briefly hitting the daily limit up at the open. Early in the week, the market was primarily characterized by coking coal and coke leading the gains across ferrous metals. A coal mine accident occurred in Shanxi over the previous weekend, strengthening market expectations of tighter supply driven by stricter subsequent regulatory oversight and increased production shutdowns at coal mines. Ferrous metals rebounded on cost support. However, some coal mines quickly resumed production afterward, and combined with the prospect of a US-Iran deal being reached, crude oil declines dragged iron ore prices lower, loosening cost support. Most products except coking coal and coke retreated from highs. In the latter half of the week, data on the five major steel products were released, showing continued inventory destocking but marginally weakening apparent demand, with supply-demand pressure rising somewhat. Spot market side, spot prices remained relatively firm this week, with the spot-futures price spreads for both hot-rolled coil and rebar widening, providing shipment opportunities for basis traders, while end-users continued to restock on a need-based, low-price approach...
May 29, 2026 18:35
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
ADC12 Aluminum Alloy Market Sees Slight Rise Amid Cost Pressures and Tight Scrap Supply
[SMM Aluminum Alloy Daily Review] The ADC12 aluminum alloy market was generally stable with slight rise today. Driven by cost pressure, some enterprises raised their quotes slightly by 100 yuan/mt, while most manufacturers remained steady and took a wait-and-see approach. Currently, invoiced aluminum scrap resources remained persistently tight, pushing up procurement costs, and some manufacturers were concerned about potential production reduction risk. However, downstream demand remained mediocre, with limited end-user order release, which constrained price increases.
May 29, 2026 13:26
US April Core PCE Price Index Annual Rate Rose to 3.3%, Futures in the Doldrums on the Morning of the 28th [SMM Tin Midday Review]
[SMM Tin Midday Review: US April Core PCE Price Index Rose to 3.3% Year-over-Year, Futures in the Doldrums on the Morning of the 28th]
May 29, 2026 12:07
Secondary Aluminum PMI Drops to 44.6% in May, Industry Faces Ongoing Challenges
[SMM Aluminum News Flash] SMM data showed that the secondary aluminum industry PMI registered 44.6% in May, pulling back 6.3 percentage points MoM and continuing to operate below the 50 mark. If the raw material shortage issue is not substantially alleviated, enterprises continue to face procurement difficulties, and demand further deepens into the off-season, the industry PMI in June is expected to remain under pressure below the 50 mark.
May 28, 2026 19:37
Secondary Aluminum Alloy Inventory Rises for 7th Week, But Pace May Slow Due to Tight Scrap Supply
[SMM Aluminum Update] According to SMM statistics, as of Thursday this week, the social inventory of secondary aluminum alloy ingots in China's major consumption regions stood at 62,900 mt, up 2,200 mt WoW, marking seven consecutive weeks of inventory buildup, mainly dragged down by weak downstream demand. However, compliant aluminum scrap sources remained tight at this stage, and restricted raw material procurement led enterprises to cut production. The production side prioritized aluminum liquid and long-term contract deliveries, and alloy ingot output was expected to pull back further. The pace of subsequent inventory buildup was expected to slow down, and if source tightness intensified, inventory could shift into a destocking phase.
May 28, 2026 13:39
The Most-Traded Contract Hovered at Highs, Spot Market Trading Sluggish [SMM Tin Midday Review]
[SMM Tin Midday Review: The Most-Traded Contract Hovered at Highs, Spot Market Trading Remained Sluggish]
May 27, 2026 11:52
[SMM Analysis] Tight Southeast Asia Scrap Supply Keeps Overseas ADC12 and Aluminum Scrap Markets Elevated
May 26, 2026 16:39
Expectations of a Middle East Shipping Lane Agreement Weaken Geopolitical Risks; Most-Traded SHFE Tin Contract Fluctuates After Probing Highs [SMM SHFE Tin Brief Review]
[SMM SHFE Tin Brief: Middle East Shipping Lane Agreement Expectations Weaken Geopolitical Risks; the Most-Traded SHFE Tin Contract Fluctuated After Probing Higher]
May 26, 2026 16:30
Aluminum Alloy Futures Rise 0.52%, Spot Prices Drop Amid Weak Supply and Demand
[SMM Aluminum Alloy Daily Review] Futures: The most-traded aluminum alloy 2607 futures contract opened at 23,025 yuan/mt today, dipped under pressure to 22,880 yuan/mt in early trading, surged rapidly to 23,300 yuan/mt in the afternoon session before pulling back with fluctuations, and finally closed at 23,140 yuan/mt, up 120 yuan/mt (+0.52%) from the previous day's settlement price. Spot: SMM ADC12 was quoted at 23,600 yuan/mt today, down 100 yuan/mt. The current ADC12 market maintained a pattern of weakness on both the supply and demand sides: on one hand, the structural constraint of tight compliant aluminum scrap supply was difficult to ease in the short term, providing cost support; on the other hand, downstream demand recovery remained sluggish. Against the backdrop of no significant
May 26, 2026 15:59
Uchida Corporation Assists SMM in Creating the "2026 Global Secondary Copper Industry Distribution Map"
May 26, 2026 15:11
【SMM Aluminum Flash News】Bauxite Prices and Outlook: Upward Pressure on Imported Bauxite Costs and Prices
【SMM Aluminum Flash News】Bauxite Prices and Outlook: Upward Pressure on Imported Bauxite Costs and Prices
May 26, 2026 14:30
Concept Note: One Day Conference on Critical Minerals Recycling Landscape
May 25, 2026 17:14
[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
China's Secondary Aluminum Alloy Ingot Inventory Drops 619 mt Amid Production Cuts and Strong Demand
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Hongjin New Materials Invites You to the SMM (3rd) Global Recycled Metals Industry Peak Forum
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SHFE Tin Futures Center Shifted Upward with Wider Fluctuations, High Absolute Prices Led to Sluggish Market Trading [SMM Tin Midday Review]
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China's Secondary Aluminum Alloy Ingot Inventory Drops 608 MT WoW to 31,000 MT
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Ferrous Metals May Rebound Slightly Next Week [SMM Steel Industry Chain Weekly Report]
May 29, 2026 18:35
Copper Scrap Payability Coefficients Hold Exceptionally Firm as Supply-Demand Mismatch Defies Traditional Market Logic
May 29, 2026 18:34
ADC12 Aluminum Alloy Market Sees Slight Rise Amid Cost Pressures and Tight Scrap Supply
May 29, 2026 13:26
US April Core PCE Price Index Annual Rate Rose to 3.3%, Futures in the Doldrums on the Morning of the 28th [SMM Tin Midday Review]
May 29, 2026 12:07
Secondary Aluminum PMI Drops to 44.6% in May, Industry Faces Ongoing Challenges
May 28, 2026 19:37
Secondary Aluminum Alloy Inventory Rises for 7th Week, But Pace May Slow Due to Tight Scrap Supply
May 28, 2026 13:39
SHFE Tin Contract in the Doldrums on the Morning of the 28th, Downstream Enterprises Mainly Following Up on Rigid Demand [SMM Tin Midday Review]
May 28, 2026 13:32
Shanghai Humin & Fujian Huxin Look Forward to Meeting You at the SMM (3rd) Global Recycled Metals Industry Summit Forum
May 27, 2026 15:18
ADC12 Market Sees Stronger Recovery, Prices Rise by 100-200 Yuan/mt Amid Supply Concerns
May 27, 2026 13:38
The Most-Traded Contract Hovered at Highs, Spot Market Trading Sluggish [SMM Tin Midday Review]
May 27, 2026 11:52
[SMM Analysis] Tight Southeast Asia Scrap Supply Keeps Overseas ADC12 and Aluminum Scrap Markets Elevated
May 26, 2026 16:39
Expectations of a Middle East Shipping Lane Agreement Weaken Geopolitical Risks; Most-Traded SHFE Tin Contract Fluctuates After Probing Highs [SMM SHFE Tin Brief Review]
May 26, 2026 16:30
Aluminum Alloy Futures Rise 0.52%, Spot Prices Drop Amid Weak Supply and Demand
May 26, 2026 15:59
Uchida Corporation Assists SMM in Creating the "2026 Global Secondary Copper Industry Distribution Map"
May 26, 2026 15:11
【SMM Aluminum Flash News】Bauxite Prices and Outlook: Upward Pressure on Imported Bauxite Costs and Prices
【SMM Aluminum Flash News】Bauxite Prices and Outlook: Upward Pressure on Imported Bauxite Costs and Prices
May 26, 2026 14:30
Concept Note: One Day Conference on Critical Minerals Recycling Landscape
May 25, 2026 17:14