Copper Prices Surge In London As Chinese Traders Return

On February 24, 2026, copper prices surged to their highest level in more than a week as Chinese traders returned to the market following the Lunar New Year holiday. The benchmark three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) rose 1.8% to $13,100 per metric ton, after reaching a peak of $13,196 during trading. This increase was supported by a 60% jump in the Yangshan copper premium, indicating a rise in demand for imported copper into China. The most-active copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange also climbed 0.8% to 101,510 yuan ($14,728.88) per ton. Analysts noted that the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which struck down President Trump's emergency tariffs, has created a more favorable environment for metals markets, particularly benefiting China, as highlighted by a rally in Chinese stock markets.