While no official tariff has been imposed, the price gap between the CME and London Metal Exchange (LME) contracts has widened sharply, with CME copper trading at a premium exceeding $1,000 per metric ton. This suggests the market is pricing in at least a 10% tariff, though a 25% duty, similar to those on aluminum and steel, remains a possibility.
Source – Econo Times
China, the biggest steel maker, is not a top direct exporter of steel to the U.S. but Trump said that China’s exports had forced others to ship more to the U.S., while rising imports “support a conclusion” of transshipment or processing of steel products via third party countries into the U.S.
“Today is a great day for the U.S. aluminum industry,” said Mark Duffy, president of the APAA.
“Unfair trade practices have devastated the domestic aluminum industry and President Trump’s actions today will protect thousands of American workers and their families.”
Source – Reuters
Silver began the week with modest gains, stabilizing above its 50-day moving average at $32.55—a level now serving as short-term support. The metal also finds backing from a key Fibonacci retracement at $32.19.
Source – FX Empire
The red metal, along with pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber, earns an exemption from “reciprocal” tariffs on most goods entering the U.S.
Referred to in a White House fact sheet as “responsive tariffs,” President Trump spells out the rationale for and specific examples of other nations’ tariffs in that April 2 fact sheet, fully titled “Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Declares National Emergency to Increase our Competitive Edge, Protect our Sovereignty, and Strengthen our National and Economic Security.”
“Some goods will not be subject to the Reciprocal Tariff”
“Copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber articles”
Source – Recycling Today
Source – Money Metals
“Until we see clarity on the US policies, both trade-related and economic, it will create an environment for increased levels of gold volatility,” said Joseph Cavatoni, senior market strategist for North America at industry lobby the World Gold Council. “So, while we might see a $3,000 gold price, we expect there could be ongoing movements that bring us back below.”
Spot gold was down 0.1% at $2,905.73 an ounce at 10:28 a.m. in London, after rising to as high as $2,942.68. Silver, platinum and palladium were all lower. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was steady after climbing on Monday.
Source – Bloomberg
Gold surged above $3,400 to a record high on Monday, as the dollar weakened and uncertainty over the economic impact of U.S.-China trade tensions spurred demand for safe-haven bullion.
Spot gold rose 2.6% to $3,415.24 an ounce at 10:46 a.m. ET (1446 GMT). Prices hit a record high of $3,424.25 earlier in the session.
U.S. gold futures rose 3% to $3,426.30.
“As tariff tensions continue to move at a fevered pitch, we continue to see gold prices move to the upside as a safe haven response,” said David Meger, director of metals trading at High Ridge Futures.
Source – Reuters
