Trafigura: US-China Copper Competition Could Drive Prices Higher

Commodity trading giant Trafigura predicts that the struggle between the US and China to secure copper supply could trigger a new wave of price increases globally. Company analysts note that efforts by the two major economies to boost strategic copper inventories may disrupt the supply-demand balance. According to Trafigura's assessment, demand for copper is rising due to the green energy transition and electrification needs, while the race between the US and China to ensure their own supply security adds additional pressure to the market. This could push prices even higher in an environment where current production capacity is limited. Experts indicate that China's dominance in global copper refining capacity and new US policies on critical minerals could lead to supply constraints in the short term. Trafigura emphasizes that this geopolitical rivalry will create significant volatility in copper prices and that investors should closely monitor these developments. This is not investment advice.